Pope Issues Plea to Breakaway Traditionalist Group to Back Off Bishop Consecrations
Leo warned the move would trigger automatic excommunication and could make confessions and marriages invalid for SSPX faithful, the Vatican said.
- On Tuesday, Pope Leo XIV appealed to the Society of Saint Pius X to cancel Wednesday's planned consecration of four new bishops, warning the move constitutes a "sin of extreme gravity" and a schismatic act.
- Founded in 1970 by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, the SSPX opposes Second Vatican Council reforms; the group's 1988 consecrations resulted in excommunications, leaving the fraternity without legal status in the Catholic Church.
- Representing 50 nationalities, the SSPX maintains over 750 priests; however, unauthorized consecrations would trigger automatic excommunication for all involved, depriving the faithful of licit sacraments under Catholic Church law.
- In response to the Pope's letter, SSPX media manager Marc-André Mabillard expressed "great sadness to not be understood by our leader" and added the group would change "absolutely nothing" in their plans.
- This ceremony presents the first major crisis for the American Pope, who has prioritized church unity, as the Vatican remains prepared to enter dialogue despite the threat of a full schism.
123 Articles
123 Articles
A major row with roots dating back more than 50 years has flared up within the Catholic Church. Now the Pope is appealing to the ultra-conservative group to stop its plans – and threatening excommunication.
In spite of the Pope's warning, the Fraternity of Pius consecrated four new bishops, making an open break with Rome. Thousands celebrated the ceremony in Écône.
The Washington Post
What to know about the breakaway traditionalist Catholics defying Pope Leo XIV
Archbishop Viganò States ‘Leo Can’t Wait To Excommunicate Us All’ - LewRockwell
Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò has responded vigorously to Pope Leo’s open letter to the superior general of the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX). In an X post published in Italian this morning, Viganò took issue with the Pontiff’s letter, recalling the “seamless garment” theology of other American prelates. He may have also invoked a principle of canon law regarding emergency provisions: “Omnia parata sunt ad nuptias,” that is, “everything is pre…
Leo urges SSPX to ‘turn back’ as breakaway traditionalists plan bishop consecrations
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — A breakaway traditionalist Catholic group, the Society of St. Pius X, is defying Vatican orders by proceeding with its plan to ordain new bishops without papal consent on Wednesday (July 1) during a ceremony in Écône, Switzerland. After repeated warnings that the episcopal consecrations would constitute a schismatic act and trigger automatic excommunication, Pope Leo XIV issued an open letter asking the group to desist. “I i…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
