The Society of Saint Pius X has consecrated bishops without papal approval, prompting the worst rift within the church in decades
The Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX), a Catholic priestly fraternity, has consecrated four new bishops without the papal approval, defying a last-ditch appeal by Pope Leo XIV to call the ceremony off. The move reignites an old row between the controversial ultra-traditionalist faction and the Vatican, as well as risks bringing a broader schism to the Catholic Church.
The SSPX held the ceremony at its seminary in Econe, Switzerland, on Wednesday, ordaining four prelates to serve as auxiliary bishops without jurisdictions. The group justified the consecrations as a “sacred duty” necessary to defend the Catholic faith and condemned any potential retaliation from Rome.
“We consider every punishment and censure brought to bear against this step will have no validity,” a priest presiding over the ceremony said. While the Vatican has not responded to the SSPX move yet, according to the church’s canon law setting up bishops without papal consent is considered a grave offense that incurs an automatic excommunication for prelates both administering and receiving the unauthorized consecration.
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