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SSPX Plans Four Bishop Consecrations, Scholars Warn of Excommunication

6/26/2026

Summary

SSPX Consecrates Bishops

Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) will consecrate four bishops at Écône, Switzerland seminary on July 1, 2026.
Over 20 Franciscan University of Steubenville professors signed a 26-person open letter urging SSPX to halt the consecrations.
Pope Leo XIV warned on June 16 proceeding without a papal mandate would be a schismatic act punishable by excommunication.
Professors pleaded “Please don’t do this” and asked SSPX to resume dialogue with the Holy See for communion.

Summary

SSPX Rejects Vatican II

The SSPX issued a 28-page Profession of Faith rejecting Vatican II teachings on religious freedom, synodality, ecumenism and liturgical reform.
It argues a state-favored Catholic Church must oppose other religions and false worship.
Fr. Davide Pagliarani and Bishop Bernard Fellay cite the 1988 consecrations, whose excommunications were lifted in 2009.
The June 24 open letter, released before the June 26-27 consistory, is offered as a basis for future dialogue with the Holy See.

Summary

Pope Dissolves Commission

Pope Francis dissolved the three-decade-old commission that negotiated with the SSPX while still recognizing its marriage and confession sacraments.
The SSPX enforces gender norms that discourage women from trousers and often require head coverings in church.
SSPX members sheltered convicted war criminal Paul Touvier in 1989 and officiated Nazi Erich Priebke’s funeral in 2013.
An SSPX bishop claimed the Holocaust killed no more than 300,000 Jews, sparking antisemitism accusations.

History

Historical Context

In 1988 Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre consecrated four SSPX priests as bishops at Écône without papal mandate, violating canon 1382 and prompting Pope John Paul II to declare automatic excommunication. The Vatican lifted those excommunications in 2009, yet the Society remains irregular. In 2026 SSPX leaders again plan ordinations at Écône, despite Pope Francis’ warnings, risking renewed penalties.

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SSPX Consecrates Bishops

Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) will consecrate four bishops at Écône, Switzerland seminary on July 1, 2026.
Over 20 Franciscan University of Steubenville professors signed a 26-person open letter urging SSPX to halt the consecrations.
Pope Leo XIV warned on June 16 proceeding without a papal mandate would be a schismatic act punishable by excommunication.
Professors pleaded “Please don’t do this” and asked SSPX to resume dialogue with the Holy See for communion.

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