Summary (tl;dr)

The Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX), a traditionalist Catholic group, has defied Pope Leo XIV and the Vatican by consecrating four new bishops without papal approval, an act deemed schismatic and incurring automatic excommunication for those involved.

Essential Background

The Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) was founded in 1970 by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, in response to perceived deviations from Catholic tradition following the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965). The group notably rejects certain post-Vatican II teachings concerning ecumenism, interreligious dialogue, religious liberty, and liturgy. A major point of contention arose in 1988 when Archbishop Lefebvre consecrated four bishops without a pontifical mandate, leading to his and the newly consecrated bishops' automatic excommunication and a declaration of schism by Pope John Paul II. While Pope Benedict XVI lifted the excommunications of the four surviving bishops in 2009 in an attempt at reconciliation, the SSPX's canonical status has remained ambiguous, and it has not been in full communion with the Catholic Church. In February 2026, the SSPX announced its intention to proceed with new episcopal consecrations, citing an "objective state of grave necessity" due to the dwindling number of SSPX bishops available to ordain priests.

The Full Story

On July 1, 2026, the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) proceeded with the unauthorized consecration of four new bishops at its seminary in Écône, Switzerland. This act occurred despite repeated warnings and a direct appeal from Pope Leo XIV, who had urged the group to "please turn back". The ceremony, attended by thousands of faithful from around 70 countries, was officiated by Spanish Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta and Swiss Bishop Bernard Fellay, both of whom had been among those illicitly consecrated in 1988. The four new bishops are Swiss Father Pascal Schreiber, American Father Michael Goldade, and French Fathers Michel Poinsinet de Sivry and Marc Hanappier. The Vatican, through Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, the prefect for the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, had explicitly stated that such consecrations without papal approval would be considered a "schismatic act" and would incur automatic latae sententiae excommunication for all involved. Pope Leo XIV had issued a letter warning that the move would lead to a formal schism and could deprive the faithful of valid access to the sacraments. However, Father Davide Pagliarani, the SSPX's Superior General, rejected the Pope's appeal, asserting that the consecrations were an "exceptional" and necessary measure to uphold the faith, and would not constitute an act of schism.

Why It Matters

This latest defiance by the SSPX signifies a renewed rupture within the Catholic Church, posing a significant challenge to papal authority and further exacerbating the division between the traditionalist group and the Holy See. The automatic excommunication of the six bishops involved (the two consecrators and the four new bishops) severs their communion with the Church and could prompt a formal declaration of schism by the Vatican, with potential implications for the SSPX's estimated 600,000 members worldwide. Such a declaration might also lead to a reevaluation of certain concessions previously granted by Pope Francis, which allowed SSPX priests to hear confessions and witness marriages. The event presents a critical test for Pope Leo XIV's relatively new pontificate, requiring him to address a major challenge to the unity of the Church. While the SSPX justifies its actions as necessary to preserve Catholic tradition amidst a perceived Church crisis, critics view these consecrations as an act of pride and disobedience that creates a "de facto parallel Church".

Geographic Location

• Écône, Canton of Valais, Switzerland (unauthorized consecration of four new bishops at the SSPX international seminary)
• Castel Gandolfo, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Lazio, Italy (Pope Leo XIV's remarks to journalists)
• St. Marys, Pottawatomie County, Kansas, United States (residence of Father Michael Goldade, one of the new bishops, and home to a large SSPX community)
• Dillwyn, Buckingham County, Virginia, United States (location of SSPX's St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary, where Father Michael Goldade is rector)
• Menzingen, Canton of Zug, Switzerland (SSPX Headquarters)