The Vatican formally excommunicated six bishops of the Society of St Pius X (SSPX) and declared all lay members and clergy who support the group schismatic on July 2, 2026, after the SSPX consecrated four bishops without papal approval the day before at their seminary in Econe, Switzerland [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7].

The four newly consecrated bishops and the two bishops who administered the rite were barred from receiving sacraments or holding church offices under the harshest canonical penalties, the Holy See said [3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. Approximately 15,000 to 16,500 SSPX faithful and families attended the ordination ceremony, underscoring the group's continued influence among traditionalist Catholics [3, 4, 5].

Pope Leo XIV sent a personal letter to SSPX leaders on June 30, warning that proceeding with the consecrations would be a "sin of extreme gravity" and cause schism. He pleaded: "I plead with you and ask you with all my heart: please turn back!" [5, 8, 7]. The SSPX rejected the appeal, with Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta calling the consecrations a "sacred duty" to preserve Catholic tradition [8]. SSPX media manager Marc-André Mabillard said, "We don't fear it. It pains us immensely, but we believe that the good we seek is greater than the pain that will be inflicted upon us." [8]

Founded in 1970 by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, the SSPX opposes the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, especially the use of vernacular languages in Mass. The group rejects dialogue with other Christian denominations and favors the Tridentine Latin Mass and traditional practices [1, 9, 3, 4, 5, 8]. As of November 2025, the SSPX claimed 1,482 formal members including priests and seminarians from 50 nations, though the Vatican estimates around 600,000 adherents worldwide who sympathize with its positions [1, 9].

The Vatican's decree annuls prior concessions and reconciliation efforts granted by Popes Benedict XVI and Francis. It declared that all faithful and clergy formally affiliated with SSPX are excommunicated and considered schismatic, barring them from sacramental participation and ecclesiastical roles [3, 4, 5, 6, 7].

Rev. Davide Pagliarani, SSPX leader, insisted, "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" [7]. Worshiper Rita Reid said, "Even if they excommunicate us, go ahead, bring it on, it's not going to make one bit of difference." [1]

The Vatican's next step is to monitor adherence to the excommunication and respond to any further irregular ordinations or acts deemed schismatic.