- 02 July, 2026
Vatican City, July 2, 2026: The Vatican has formally declared that the bishops involved in the unauthorised episcopal ordinations carried out by the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X (SSPX) on 1 July have incurred automatic (latae sententiae) excommunication, describing the ceremony as “an act of a schismatic nature.”
The decree, released on 2 July by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, was signed by its Prefect, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, and countersigned by the Dicastery’s Secretaries. It follows the episcopal ordinations held at Écône, Switzerland, despite repeated objections from Pope Leo XIV and without the required pontifical mandate.
According to the decree, SSPX bishops Alfonso de Galarreta and Bernard Fellay, who served as the principal consecrator and co-consecrator respectively, along with the four newly ordained bishops—Pascal Schreiber, Michael Goldade, Michel Poinsinet de Sivry and Marc Hanappier—have automatically incurred excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See. The Vatican stated that the consecrations violated canon law because they were carried out without papal approval and against the expressed will of the Holy Father.
In an explanatory note released alongside the decree, the Dicastery said the ordinations constitute the canonical offence of schism. It recalled that successive Popes, beginning with St Paul VI, had made numerous efforts to restore full communion with the movement founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, but these attempts had not been successful.
The Vatican noted that the recent episcopal consecrations further deepened the separation between the Society and the Catholic Church. Referring to St John Paul II’s 1988 Apostolic Letter Ecclesia Dei, the Dicastery reiterated that rejecting papal authority through such actions constitutes a schismatic act.
The explanatory note states that all sacred ministers belonging to the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X are to be regarded as being in schism and are therefore subject to the penalty of excommunication under canon law.
The Vatican further clarified that lay faithful who formally adhere to the Society are also to be considered schismatics and excommunicated, in accordance with the conditions established in a 1996 explanatory note issued by the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts.
The Dicastery also warned Catholics that the Society's clergy administer the sacraments unlawfully. It specifically stated that while SSPX ministers celebrate the sacraments illicitly, the sacraments of Penance administered by them and marriages celebrated with their assistance are considered invalid.
The faithful have been urged to remain in full communion with the Roman Pontiff and with bishops united to him, while refraining from participating in liturgical celebrations or activities organised by the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X.
Despite the disciplinary measures, the Vatican stressed that the Church continues to welcome those who wish to return to full communion. It described the Church as a caring mother ready to receive those seeking reconciliation with "sincere affection and lively solicitude."
The Holy See also indicated that Apostolic Nuncios would coordinate with local bishops to facilitate procedures for individuals or clergy who wish to regularise their status within the Catholic Church.
The decree marks a significant development in the Church's long-standing relationship with the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X and reaffirms the Vatican's position on episcopal ordinations carried out without papal approval.
Courtesy : Vatican News
Picture Courtesy : AFP or licensors
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