I agree, his claim doesn’t pass the smell test at all. I strongly suspect this is just a cover story and the real reason he was kicked out was different.
Although it is rare to publicly announce someone’s excommunication like that, I’ve seen it done before in cases where the person is going around to other members trying ot destroy their faith. Any well run church would point out a wolf in sheep’s clothing like that, but of course all the other wolves will howl about it.
Is that not the sad truth
How does someone “destroy” someone elses faith.
With the truth perhaps?