Full Breakdown
SSPX Defies Pope Leo XIV with Unauthorized Bishop Consecrations in Switzerland
7/2/2026, 1:26:29 AM
Unauthorized Episcopal Consecrations in Econé
On 1 July 2026, the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) conducted a five-hour ordination at its seminary in Écône, Switzerland. Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta laid hands on four priests—Pascal Schreiber (Switzerland), Michael Goldade (USA), Michel Poinsinet de Sivry (France) and Marc Hanappier (France)—to confer episcopal consecration without papal mandate.
Historical Context and SSPX Claims
Founded in 1970 by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, the SSPX opposes Second Vatican Council reforms such as vernacular liturgy and ecumenism. Lefebvre’s 1988 unauthorized consecrations led to excommunication, later lifted in 2009. SSPX now cites a “state of necessity” to justify the 2026 ordinations.
Participants, Numbers, and New Bishops
SSPX reports six bishops, 751 priests, 264 seminarians, 145 brothers, 88 oblates, 250 sisters from 50 nationalities. About 16,500 faithful attended the Econé ceremony, receiving caps and souvenir wine. The four new bishops will enable worldwide priestly ordinations.
Vatican Position and Pending Penalties
The Holy See stated that consecrating bishops without papal consent “will result in automatic excommunication for both the consecrating bishop and the four newly ordained.” Vatican officials have not yet confirmed the formal imposition. Cardinal Pietro Parolin called the act “schismatic,” and Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández’s dialogue with Pagliarani ended after the SSPX refused to suspend the rite.
Dissent Within the Church
Rev. Robert Gahl, ethics professor at the Catholic University of America, warned that “you can’t serve tradition while disobeying the church and her authority.” Other Catholic observers expressed concern that the ordinations deepen division and undermine papal authority.
Faithful Reactions on the Ground
Arlina Onglao, a 71-year-old travel agent from the Philippines, said the Vatican had “lost credibility” and that she was “not scared.” Wulfran Lindzondzo, a researcher, said he wanted to “rediscover tradition” and hoped Rome would eventually accept SSPX practices. Eduardo Limón of Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, lamented the Pope’s appeal but praised Pagliarani’s resolve, calling himself “both sad and content.”
Unresolved Issues
The Vatican has not yet confirmed whether the excommunications have been formally imposed, leaving the legal status of the four new bishops uncertain. Sources differ on whether attending the Mass incurs any penalty; one report says faithful incur none, while another notes sacramental implications for those in communion with Rome.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We consider every punishment and censure brought to bear against this step will have no validity,” — Priest, Econé Mass
- “But it is precisely because we love the pope as the vicar of Christ, as the head of the church, that we don’t want to see the pope humiliated anymore, on the side of false shepherds representing false religions.” — Rev. Davide Pagliarani
- “lost credibility.” — Arlina Onglao
- “You can’t serve tradition while disobeying the church and her authority,” — Rev. Robert Gahl
Outlook
The Vatican’s pending decision on excommunication will shape whether the SSPX moves toward formal separation or renewed dialogue. The new bishops give the society a permanent hierarchical framework that could entrench the split for decades.
