SSPX Plans Bishop Consecrations, Facing Automatic Excommunication

On July 1 the SSPX will consecrate four priests—Michael Goldade (U.S.), Pascal Schreiber (Switzerland), Michel Poinsinet de Sivry (France) and Marc Hanappier (France)—as bishops. The Vatican says any episcopal ordination without papal mandate is a schismatic act that triggers automatic excommunication for the consecrators and the new bishops. The dispute mirrors the 1988 Lefebvre consecrations that led to excommunications, partially lifted in 2009, yet the SSPX remains in canonical irregularity.

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SSPX Superior General Father Davide Pagliarani describes the plan as realistic and reasonable, invoking what the group calls a state of grave necessity. Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, head of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, warned the ordinations will incur automatic excommunication. Pope Leo appealed personally, saying division is painful and that the group refuses to accept certain fundamental elements of the church. Bishop Athanasius Schneider called recent papal reforms a disaster.

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The SSPX reports 733 priests in 2025 and 184 priories. In the United States it serves roughly 30,000 faithful (2024). With only two surviving bishops—Bernard Fellay (68) and Alfonso de Galarreta (69)—approaching the age limit, the society says new ordinations are essential. The ceremony could spark a formal schism and affect the Church’s response to the 2023 “Fiducia Supplicans” decree on blessings for same-sex couples.

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The Holy See labels the planned ordinations a “schismatic act” that violates canon law. By invoking automatic excommunication, the Vatican signals that the SSPX’s defiance crosses a canonical red line and keeps the society outside full communion.

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Toronto activist José LoMonaco urged papal intervention, yet he supports the consecrations, saying traditional bishops are needed because the SSPX’s two aging bishops cannot sustain its ministries. Vatican records show the 1988 excommunications were lifted in 2009, while the SSPX cites only Fellay and de Galarreta as active. The Holy See has not outlined post-ceremony procedures, leaving the outcome uncertain.

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• “rather die than renounce” — SSPX statement

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• “realistic and reasonable,” — Father Davide Pagliarani, Superior General, SSPX

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• “In order to ordain traditional priests in the traditional Roman rite, traditional bishops are needed. The SSPX currently has two bishops approaching their 70s. Without bishops, the SSPX cannot continue. That's why we support the decision to consecrate new bishops.” — José LoMonaco, Toronto Catholic activist

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• “Certainly, division among Christians is always a painful point. But they refuse to accept certain fundamental elements of the church, starting with several points from the Second Vatican Council,” — Pope Leo, National Catholic Reporter

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• “In response, the SSPX pointed to remarks by Bishop Athanasius Schneider, who argued that although recent popes acted in "good faith," the reforms opposed by the society had been a "disaster.” — Bishop Athanasius Schneider

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July 1 will see the planned consecrations. If the Vatican enforces excommunication, the SSPX will operate outside full communion, and further negotiations or penalties may follow, shaping future reconciliation efforts.

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