The Vatican declared the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) in schism on July 2, 2026, after the group ordained four new bishops without papal approval. Pope Leo XIV excommunicated the bishops involved and revoked the group’s authority to validly administer the sacraments of confession and marriage.
The Consecrations at Écône and the Vatican’s Response
The conflict reached a breaking point on July 1, 2026, when the SSPX consecrated four new bishops at its seminary in Écône, Switzerland. As Fox News reported, the ceremony took place despite a personal appeal from Pope Leo XIV urging the group to abandon the plan.
The Vatican responded 24 hours later. A decree issued on July 2, 2026, and signed by Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, defined the rite as an “act of a schismatic nature.” According to Vatican News, the move resulted in the “ipso facto” and “latae sententiae” excommunication of both the consecrators and the newly ordained.
The individuals sanctioned by the Holy See include:
Consecrators: Bishops Alfonso de Galarreta and Bernard Fellay.
Newly Consecrated: Fathers Pascal Schreiber, Michael Goldade, Michel Poinsinet de Sivry, and Marc Hanappier.
This action reverses previous concessions the Vatican had granted the SSPX in an attempt to bring the traditionalist movement back into full communion with Rome.
Why the Vatican Views the Ordinations as Schism
Photo: Vatican News
The core of the dispute rests on the “pontifical mandate.” In the Catholic Church, only the pope has the authority to approve the consecration of bishops to preserve the line of apostolic succession and church unity. By bypassing this requirement, the Vatican asserts the SSPX committed a grave canonical offense.
“such disobedience—which implies in practice the rejection of the Roman primacy—constitutes a schismatic act”
Apostolic Letter Ecclesia Dei (1988), cited by Vatican News
The SSPX, known as the “Lefebvrites,” has long rejected reforms from the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, specifically those allowing Mass to be celebrated in local languages rather than Latin. While Pope Leo XIV has spent his pontificate attempting to heal divisions and reach out to conservatives, Fox News notes this is the first major test of his leadership.
The group’s leader, Rev. Davide Pagliarani, defended the ordinations during the ceremony. He claimed the actions were not intended to oppose the pope but were instead in service to the Church.
“We are accused of not respecting the pope, but it is precisely because we love the pope as the vicar of Christ, as the head of the church, that we don’t want to see the pope humiliated anymore, on the side of false shepherds representing false religions.”
Rev. Davide Pagliarani, via Fox News
Local Impact: San Antonio Bans SSPX Weddings
Vatican excommunicates ultraconservative breakaway bishops in first crisis for Pope • FRANCE 24
The global decree has immediate local consequences. In Texas, the Archdiocese of San Antonio is moving to isolate the SSPX’s local presence at St. Joseph Chapel. Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller announced that he will no longer grant delegations to SSPX priests to preside over weddings or minister in any capacity.
According to WOAI, the archbishop had previously collaborated with the chapel’s priests since 2020 to “ensure the canonical validity of the sacrament” for the faithful. That cooperation has now ended.
The sanctions in San Antonio include:
Sacramental Invalidity: The archbishop stated that marriages witnessed by SSPX ministers and the sacrament of penance administered by them are now considered invalid.
Attendance Ban: Catholics are instructed to stop attending Mass and other activities at St. Joseph Chapel on Orland in San Antonio.
Financial Boycott: The archdiocese urged the faithful to stop contributing to the Society, specifically mentioning a capital campaign to build a church in Schertz.
For those seeking the traditional Latin Mass, the archbishop directed them to Saint Timothy Catholic Church on Saltillo Street, which celebrates Mass in the Extraordinary Form every Saturday and Sunday.
The Stakes for the Lay Faithful
Photo: Fox News
The fallout extends beyond the clergy. The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has issued warnings to the lay population. According to the decree reported by Vatican News, any lay faithful who “formally adhere” to the Fraternity are to be considered excommunicated.
This creates a precarious position for thousands of traditionalist Catholics who rely on the SSPX for spiritual guidance. The Vatican’s stance is clear: to remain in communion with the Church, the faithful must separate themselves from the movement and align with Pope Leo XIV.
The Pope’s own desperation was evident in the days leading up to the crisis. In a letter sent to Pagliarani on June 29, 2026, the pontiff wrote, “I plead with you and ask you with all my heart: please turn back!”
With the “automatic excommunication” now in effect for the leadership, the path toward reunification appears narrower than it has been in decades. The Vatican has signaled that the time for concessions has passed, replacing diplomatic outreach with strict canonical sanctions to protect the “Roman primacy.”
Senior Editor, News
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