The Holy See has issued a warning to the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X (SSPX), stating that its members will face automatic excommunication if the group proceeds with plans to ordain new bishops without approval from Rome.
The planned ordinations are scheduled to take place on July 1, 2026.
Vatican’s Ultimatum
In a statement published on May 13, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernandez, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, declared that the announced episcopal ordinations lack a papal mandate.
According to National Catholic Reporter, Cardinal Fernández warned that proceeding “will constitute ‘a schismatic act'” and that “formal adherence to the schism constitutes a grave offence against God and entails the excommunication established by the law of the Church”.
Pope Leo XIV continues to pray that the leaders of the SSPX will reconsider their extremely serious decision.
The group, which opposes several major reforms of the Second Vatican Council, announced in February its intention to consecrate new bishops on July 1, 2026.
Historical Tensions
The current standoff mirrors the historical rupture of 1988, when the society’s founder, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, illicitly consecrated four bishops.
According to EWTN Vatican, this long-standing canonical tension traces its roots through historical turning points, connecting modern traditionalist challenges to broader historical crises and apparitions like Fatima, illustrating how current actions threaten to sever the apostolic communion.
The SSPX is explicitly choosing the path of schism, creating a parallel structure that damages the visible unity of the Church by substituting obedience with a self-declared state of necessity, the Catholic World Report wrote.
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Traditionalist response
Following the Vatican’s severe warning, the SSPX immediately defended its stance.
According to The Catholic Herald, the SSPX superior general, Father Davide Pagliarani, issued a “Declaration of Catholic Faith”.
Addressed to Pope Leo XIV, the document outlines what the group considers the minimum criteria necessary to be in communion with the Church.
The declaration re-affirms their traditionalist theological positions, including critiques of modern errors destroying Catholic faith and morals, whilst expressing a desire to remain faithful children of the Church.
Implications of the consecrations
The looming July ordinations place the traditionalist movement at a critical crossroads.
The Pillar highlighted that if the SSPX consecrations actually happen, it will trigger severe canon law penalties, formalising a deep, institutional separation from Rome.
Observers note that while previous popes attempted paths of reconciliation, an unauthorised episcopal line directly defies papal authority.
The upcoming deadline leaves the SSPX choosing between structural obedience to the Roman Pontiff or a definitive transition into a formal, unrecognised schism.
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