In short, the CPA is a Communist-created, Communist-controlled, blatantly schismatic, blatantly heretical, pro-abortion organization., created by the devil himself, acting through Mao Tse-tung and his successor "President" Jiang. And yet the Vatican has declared no schism, nor any excommunication of these Communist-controlled, pro-abortion clergy.
Therefore, "the Vatican" is obviously something in Rome that could officially declare a schism or impose an excommunication. In short, the Pope or the Congregation for Propaganda. Retired cardinals can't do either of those two things - Cardinal Kung was a cardinal, does that make him "the Vatican"?