The Vatican declared the Society of St. Pius X in schism after the traditionalist group consecrated new bishops without Pope Leo XIV’s approval.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The Vatican excommunicated six bishops and priests connected to the Society of St. Pius X after the traditionalist Catholic group consecrated bishops without authorization from Pope Leo XIV.
In a decree issued Thursday, the Vatican declared the society to be in schism and said the unauthorized consecrations amounted to a “schismatic act,” or a deliberate rupture from the Catholic Church, the Associated Press reported.
The decree followed the consecration of four new bishops at the SSPX seminary in Switzerland. The ceremony took place Wednesday despite Pope Leo XIV urging the group not to proceed in the interest of church unity.
About 15,500 people and their children attended the Mass, according to the report.
The Vatican also excommunicated two bishops who took part in the ceremony. The sanctions went beyond the minimum penalties required under Catholic canon law for unauthorized episcopal consecrations.
The Society of St. Pius X, commonly known as SSPX, celebrates the ancient Latin Mass and rejects many reforms of the modern Catholic Church, which it has described as containing heresies and errors.
The Vatican also warned Catholics who attend SSPX Masses to stop participating in the society’s liturgies. The decree said faithful Catholics who continue to take part could face severe penalties, including excommunication.
The decision marks a sharp escalation in the Vatican’s handling of the traditionalist group, which has long remained in conflict with Rome over church authority, liturgy and doctrine.
Pope Leo XIV had urged the SSPX to avoid the unauthorized consecrations and preserve unity within the church. The group proceeded anyway, prompting the Vatican to formally declare the act schismatic and impose penalties on those involved.
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