The Society of St. Pius X, a faction of traditionalist Catholics, challenged Pope Leo XIV by consecrating four bishops without his consent. This act dismissed the subsequent excommunications by claiming a “sacred duty” to preserve the Catholic faith.
Located in Econe, Switzerland, the seminary held a ceremony despite the pope’s appeal to halt. Pope Leo, in his letter, warned that consecrating bishops without permission from the Vatican constituted a “sin of extreme gravity,” potentially harming their followers.
The ceremony featured bells tolling in the Alpine mountains as priests processed to the altar under a tent. Thousands attended, preferring the traditional Latin Mass over modern liturgies. Rich with velvet vestments, chant, and incense, the Mass streamed live on YouTube with translations available.
“We consider every punishment and censure brought to bear against this step will have no validity,” a priest declared, reinforcing the society’s actions during the Mass.
Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta, previously consecrated without papal approval, performed the ritual of laying hands on the new bishops’ heads. According to church law, consecrating bishops without papal mandate leads to automatic excommunication and a schismatic act, disrupting the unity of the Catholic Church.
A Society Built in Opposition to Vatican II
Founded by French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) opposed reforms of Vatican II that changed church relations with other faiths and allowed Mass in the vernacular. In 1988, Lefebvre’s unauthorized consecrations led to excommunications, lifted by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009. Despite this, the SSPX lacks legal standing within the church.
The SSPX criticizes modern church practices, accusing them of heresy and errors including modernism and liberalism. The society claims it upholds Jesus Christ’s true teachings and justifies new consecrations by citing a “state of necessity” for ministering to its followers.
Newly appointed bishops include Pascal Schreiber of Switzerland, Michael Goldade of the U.S., Michel Poinsinet de Sivry of France, and Marc Hanappier of France.
Celebration Amidst Rupture
Despite being a rupture, the ceremony appeared celebratory. A countdown on the consecration website increased anticipation. Attendees received caps with “Econe2026” seals. Souvenir wine sets, commemorating the event, featured bishop-themed labels and sold for 75 Swiss francs ($92.50).
The Holy Father doesn’t really agree with it, but I hand over — I will pray to the Good Lord that the authorities in Rome can one day accept coming back to the church’s traditions,” expressed Wulfran Lindzondzo before the Mass.
Not all traditionalists support the consecrations. Some view it as disobedience to the pope. Rev. Robert Gahl emphasized that disobeying the church while claiming to preserve tradition is contradictory.
While the society itself claims it fears no repercussions, it acknowledges the pain from potential excommunications and schism declarations.