Vatican Declares SSPX Bishops Excommunicated After Unauthorized Episcopal Ordinations
The Vatican has declared that two bishops of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X (SSPX) and four newly ordained bishops have been automatically excommunicated after proceeding with episcopal ordinations without the approval of Pope Leo XIV, according to Vatican News.
The decree, released on July 2 by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, states that Bishops Alfonso de Galarreta and Bernard Fellay, who presided over the ordinations, along with the four newly ordained bishops—Pascal Schreiber, Michael Goldade, Michel Poinsinet de Sivry, and Marc Hanappier—incurred excommunication by carrying out what the Vatican described as "an act of a schismatic nature."
Vatican News reported that the decree was signed by Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the dicastery.
The episcopal ordinations took place on July 1 in Écône, Switzerland, despite repeated appeals from Pope Leo XIV asking the fraternity not to proceed.
According to the decree, the ordinations were carried out without papal approval and against the explicit wishes of the Holy Father. As a result, the Vatican said the action further separates the bishops and priests of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X from full communion with the Catholic Church.
The decree was accompanied by an explanatory note recalling that successive popes—from St. Paul VI through Pope Leo XIV—had made repeated efforts to restore full communion with the movement founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre.
According to the explanatory note, those efforts ultimately failed, and the unauthorized episcopal ordinations constituted a schismatic act.
The note states that the priests and bishops belonging to the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X are considered to be in schism and are subject to excommunication.
It also says that lay Catholics who formally join the fraternity are likewise regarded as having separated themselves from full communion with the Catholic Church.
Vatican News further reported that the Vatican warned Catholics that while clergy of the fraternity continue to celebrate the sacraments, they do so unlawfully. It added that confessions heard by SSPX priests and marriages celebrated by them are not valid.
Despite the disciplinary action, the Holy See emphasized that the Church remains ready to welcome members of the fraternity who wish to return to full communion.
"The Church, as a caring mother, will welcome with sincere affection and lively solicitude all those who wish to return to full communion," the explanatory note said, as quoted by Vatican News.
Concluding its statement, the Holy See urged Catholics to remain united with Pope Leo XIV, the bishops in communion with him, and the universal Church. It also advised the faithful not to participate in liturgies or other activities organized by the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X, Vatican News reported.
