Archbishop García-Siller has also prohibited all Catholics from attending any Mass, liturgy, or event sponsored by the former priest or the Mission of Divine Mercy, which the priest leads.
Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller of San Antonio has announced that John Mary Foster, a priest of the archdiocese, has been found guilty of schism and has been dismissed from the clerical state.
According to a statement by the archbishop, Foster, who was incardinated into the Archdiocese of San Antonio in 2009, has publicly referred to Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV as “usurpers.” He published messages allegedly received from God, Jesus, and the Blessed Mother by a member of the Mission of Divine Mercy, which he led, and which he said claimed that Pope Leo XIV is “not a true pope.”
Despite the archbishop’s multiple requests that Foster repent and stop his “schismatic actions and teachings,” the priest continued to celebrate Mass while omitting the names of both the late Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV from the Eucharistic Prayer.
In response to Foster’s disobedience, a tribunal of independent canon lawyers authorized by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith conducted a judicial process that began April 10, 2025. The tribunal spent over a year reviewing evidence consisting of Foster’s statements, actions, homilies, and teachings. It also heard testimony from witnesses.
On April 20, 2026, the tribunal declared Foster guilty of the crime of schism for his refusal of submission to the Roman pontiff. It imposed “latae sententiae” excommunication and removed him from the clerical state.
Foster did not exercise his right of appeal.
“To be Catholic is to be in communion with the pope, the bishop of Rome and the successor of Saint Peter, and with the college of bishops in communion with him,” García-Siller wrote.
“Throughout the history of the Church, those who sever ties from this sacred communion often profess to remain in communion with the true Church, even as they deny the successors to Peter and the Apostles, with whom they disagree,” the archbishop continued. “History has shown that these schisms, often initiated by charismatic leaders and based in politics, heresy, or poorly executed attempts at reform, always result in splintered communities who find themselves no longer in communion with the Catholic Church.”
“Sadly, this is the case with John Mary Foster and any who choose to follow him out of the Catholic Church,” he said. “Mr. Foster has chosen the path of disobedience.”
As a result of the sentence, Foster no longer possesses faculties to celebrate the sacraments except in the limited circumstances provided by canon law.
García-Siller said that though he has prohibited Foster from publicly celebrating Mass, “he continues to do so.”
The archbishop has prohibited all Catholics from attending any Mass, liturgical activity, or event sponsored by Foster or the Mission of Divine Mercy in Canyon Lake, telling EWTN News that “they continue to sew disunity.” He has also urged the faithful to cease all financial support to Foster and the Mission of Divine Mercy.
García-Siller said “the recent actions taken against him and the mission are painful but warranted” because “the archdiocese has sought repentance from John Mary Foster and the Mission of Divine Mercy” for many years.
He encouraged Catholics to pray for Foster’s repentance and reconciliation with the Church.
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Religion
If, in order to Abide In The Word Of Perfect Divine Eternal Infinite Love Incarnate, Our Savior, Jesus The Christ, one must disobey a pope, that is a sure sign that particular pope is not a True Vicar of Christ and is thus an anti Pope.
“The Holy Spirit was not promised to the successors of Peter that by His revelation they might make known new doctrine, but that by His assistance they might inviolably keep and faithfully expound the Revelation, the Deposit of Faith, delivered through the Apostles. ”
Or if in obedience to the pope, you need to give up a particular practice, maybe that practice was not what Jesus ultimately wants. Is it better to be “right” or to show the world the love of Christ?
His Holiness Pope Leo XIII ruled in Officiorum ac Munerum the following in Article 1, Chapter V, §13: “Books or other writings which narrate new apparitions, revelations, visions, prophecies, miracles, or which introduce new devotions, even under the pretext of being private ones, if published without the Legitimate permission of Ecclesiastical Superiors, are prohibited.”
How do we know if or when, in order to abide in the Word of Perfect Divine Eternal Infinite Love Incarnate, Our Savior, Jesus The Christ, one must disobey a pope? Remember, anybody who says that we must disobey a pope in matters of faith and morals (and anything else, for that matter) isn’t infallible when teaching matters of faith and morals. Must we put our eternal salvation in the hands of someone whom the Holy Spirit isn’t protecting from falling into error in matters of faith and morals?
For those unfamiliar with the work of the Mission of Divine Mercy, and why these unjust and thus invalid canonical penalties have been applied, I would encourage you to listen to Part 1 and Part 2 of the MDM’s explanation and response:
Part 1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxeOiS7aRaI
Part 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twRMkXLYTd0
His Holiness Pope Leo XIII ruled in Officiorum ac Munerum the following in Article 1, Chapter V, §13: “Books or other writings which narrate new apparitions, revelations, visions, prophecies, miracles, or which introduce new devotions, even under the pretext of being private ones, if published without the Legitimate permission of Ecclesiastical Superiors, are prohibited.” Current canon law does not contradict any of this. It doesn’t say you can just spread some alleged revelation or prophecy supposedly from God and never have to worry about the legitimate permission of ecclesiastical superiors. This is incontrovertible proof that these messages are not from God. Mr. John Foster is either making this all up, or is actively spreading the word of Satan. Afterall, how do we know he isn’t lying that these messages are from God? Where’s the evidence that he’s telling the truth about exactly where these messages are coming from? Do we just have to take his word for it? He could “prove” it by working some “miracle”, but then how would we know that this would truly be a miracle, and not some cheap parlor trick or demonic deception?
Given the lack of coherence in the global episcopate regarding exactly what is acceptable and not so, these disciplinary actions no longer carry any credence at all. But for the victims of their lash it is all smoke and mirrors.
Pachamama worship by a member of the DDF this week.
German bishop providing the brush off to the Holy See regarding laity offering homilies.
The appointment of sisters who dismiss the prohibition of female ordination to Vatican commissions by Pope Leo.
Pope Leo addressing the LCWR without rebuking the bold heresy endorsed by this scandalous organization.
On and on and on.
May 2025 provided a moment of hope, now boldly dashed. Your credence account is in arrears lads. You have made of your office a joke. Don’t blame the groundlings who care for noticing. It’s all on you.
Remember, in the Bizzaro world that is the church hierarchy, criticizing the pope gets you laicized. Being a sexual predator or homosexualist priest is perfectly fine, however 🙄.
Criticizing the Pope may be one thing. Outwardly rejecting him as the Successor of Peter and omitting him from the Eucharistic Prayer is a completely different story. That is why the bishop rightfully excommunicated him.
Are you the successor of blessed Peter? Are you the prince of the apostles? Are you the true vicar of Christ? Are you the head of the whole Church? Are you the father and teacher of all Christian people? Was full power given by our Lord Jesus Christ to you, in blessed Peter, to tend, rule and govern the universal Church?
“But Woe unto you,experts in the law…”
Matthew 23:13.
“Do not participate in the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose
them.”
Ephisians 5:11
The enemy of God praying in the Vatican library… isn’t the pope supposed to protect us from such things?
ND, what if the shoe were on the other foot?
Any type of schismatic action and omitting the Roman Pontiff, no matter whether they like him or not, has no excuse. If a misleading, liberal, LGBT priest did this, would you be saying the same thing?
Fire that priest !
His Holiness Pope Leo XIII ruled in Officiorum ac Munerum the following in Article 1, Chapter V, §13: “Books or other writings which narrate new apparitions, revelations, visions, prophecies, miracles, or which introduce new devotions, even under the pretext of being private ones, if published without the Legitimate permission of Ecclesiastical Superiors, are prohibited.” Current canon law does not contradict any of this. It doesn’t say you can just spread some alleged revelation or prophecy supposedly from God and never have to worry about the legitimate permission of ecclesiastical superiors. This is incontrovertible proof that these messages are not from God. Mr. John Foster is either making this all up, or is actively spreading the word of Satan. Afterall, how do we know he isn’t lying that these messages are from God? Where’s the evidence that he’s telling the truth about exactly where these messages are coming from? Do we just have to take his word for it? He could “prove” it by working some “miracle”, but then how would we know that this would truly be a miracle, and not some cheap parlor trick or demonic deception?
From the outside looking in. Do we really think that the average person would understand what is happening to our church in this time in history.We have two wars and direct financial problems going on in the world.Many of our world leaders are just trying to keep their countries safe and understand how AI will affect us all as it takes over one job at a time.To present a religious problem to the general population of the world can only fall on deaf ears.We all have problems to solve but this one just makes most of us say here we go again.Yes just look at the history of the church.One group fighting a another century after century.When will we be able to say enough think of what we should be doing.Feed the hungery clothe and house the poor
And give conclusions to those in. Trouble. I can only finish my thoughts with what our Lord said to all ofus.Love one another as I have loved you
Good bless us all