The Holy See has responded to the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) by officially excommunicating the newly ordained bishops, their consecrators and all adhering clergy and laity.
The severe canonical sanctions follow the society’s decision to ordain four new bishops without papal authorisation on July 1.
Declaration of excommunication, schism
National Catholic Reporter stated in a report that the Vatican confirmed that the illicit ordinations constitute a formal “crime of schism”.
The decree applied latae sententiae (automatic excommunication) to consecrators Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta and Bishop Bernard Fellay and the four recipients, namely Fathers Pascal Schreiber of Switzerland, Michael Goldade of the United States, Michel Poinsinet de Sivry and Marc Hanappier of France.
The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith explicitly noted that the SSPX clergy are formally considered schismatics and the society no longer holds canonical standing or lawful ministry within the Catholic Church.
Reaction of the SSPX
The traditionalist society swiftly pushed back against the Holy See’s canonical penalties.
An open response from Father Davide Pagliarani, the superior general of the SSPX, who rejected the excommunications as “objectively unjust and invalid”.
Father Pagliarani argued that the independent consecrations were a justified “extreme measure to save souls” amid widespread modern doctrinal confusion.
He insisted the society acts out of love for the Church, rather than a spirit of rebellion.
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Conditions for full communion
Despite the severity of the declaration, Vatican officials stress that the door to reconciliation remains open, though strict parameters must be met.
Pope Leo XIV maintains that the group is ultimately welcomed back if they submit to the authority of the Supreme Pontiff.
Full communion with Rome remains strictly conditioned upon the SSPX explicitly accepting the magisterial authority and theological documents of the Second Vatican Council, alongside the validity of the post-conciliar liturgical reforms.
Warning for the laity
The Vatican’s decree carries a direct warning for the estimated thousands of lay faithful who attend SSPX chapels worldwide.
The Diacastrey cautioned that laypeople who “formally adhere” to the schism will incur automatic excommunication.
OSV News clarified that while occasional attendance does not trigger an immediate penalty, a conscious, permanent decision to favour the SSPX over mainstream Catholic parishes constitutes formal adherence.
To remain in good standing, lay members must cease exclusive participation in the society’s illicit liturgies and return to parishes recognised by local diocesan bishops.
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