Pope Leo XIV Urges Traditionalist Catholic Group to Halt Bishop Consecrations

Pope Leo XIV has urged a faction of traditionalist Catholics to cease its plans to consecrate new bishops without papal consent. He labeled this action as schismatic and a ‘sin of extreme gravity.’

In his letter to Rev. Davide Pagliarani, the head of the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX), Leo implored, ‘I plead with you and ask you with all my heart: please turn back!’ This plea came just before the group’s planned consecration of four new bishops at their seminary in Econe, Switzerland. According to church law, such consecrations are considered schismatic and result in automatic excommunication for those involved.

The SSPX was established in resistance to the reforms introduced during the 1960s Second Vatican Council. These reforms changed the Catholic Church’s approach to other religions and the laity. They also allowed Mass to be celebrated in local languages instead of Latin.

In 1988, SSPX founder Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre consecrated four bishops without papal permission, a severe violation of church law. The Vatican quickly excommunicated Lefebvre and the four bishops. Currently, the SSPX lacks any official status within the church. The Vatican has cautioned that similar consequences will follow the new planned consecrations.

In his correspondence, Leo reiterated the Vatican’s willingness to engage in dialogue. He warned that proceeding without reconciliation would harm the mission of the SSPX faithful. He stated, ‘I urge you to consider carefully the spiritual good of the faithful, because the schismatic act you are about to undertake would deprive them of the licit, and in some cases, even valid reception of the sacraments.’

Despite its initial schismatic actions in 1988, the SSPX has continued to expand. It now presents a challenge to the Vatican as a parallel organization with a pre-Vatican II stance. According to SSPX statistics, the group includes two bishops, 751 priests, 264 seminarians, 145 religious brothers, 88 oblates, and 250 religious sisters from 50 different nationalities.

Images of priests receiving blessings from newly ordained priests at the SSPX’s recent ordination ceremony in Econe, Switzerland, have been captured, highlighting the ongoing growth and influence of this traditionalist group.