Full Breakdown
SSPX Ordains Four Bishops in Defiance of Pope Leo XIV
7/2/2026, 6:36:36 AM
The Ordination Event
On 1 July 2026, the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) consecrated four new bishops at its seminary grounds in Écône, Switzerland. Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta (Spain) acted as principal consecrator, assisted by Bishop Bernard Fellay (Switzerland). The ceremony, celebrated in Latin according to the 1962 Tridentine rite, lasted about five hours, included organ music, Gregorian chant, and was livestreamed with translations into English, German, Italian and Polish. Roughly 15 000–17 000 faithful from 70–75 countries attended, many receiving “Écône 2026” caps and commemorative wine packs.
Historical Background and the SSPX
Founded in 1970 by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, the SSPX rejects several reforms of the Second Vatican Council, notably the use of vernacular languages in the Mass, ecumenical dialogue and the principle of religious liberty. The 1988 episcopal consecrations by Lefebvre led to automatic excommunication of the participants; those excommunications were lifted by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009. The 2026 ordinations are the first such consecrations since that reversal.
Key Figures and the New Bishops
The newly ordained bishops are Pascal Schreiber (Switzerland), Michael Goldade (United States), Michel Poinsinet de Sivry (France) and Marc Hanappier (France). SSPX Superior General Davide Pagliarani led the ceremony’s homily. Pope Leo XIV, elected in 2025 as the first North-American pontiff, issued a final appeal on 29 June urging the Society to desist.
Timeline of the Crisis
- 29 June 2026: Pope Leo XIV sends a letter to Pagliarani pleading “please turn back.”
- 30 June 2026: Pagliarani replies that the ordinations will proceed.
- 1 July 2026: Ordination ceremony takes place in Écône.
- 1 July 2026 (later): Vatican officials indicate an imminent declaration of latae sententiae excommunication for the six bishops involved.
Numbers and Reach (Data & Statistics)
Official Vatican and SSPX Statements
The Holy See reiterated that episcopal consecration without papal mandate “incurs the penalty of automatic excommunication” (Cardinal Pietro Parolin). The Vatican has not yet issued the formal excommunication decree. SSPX officials maintain that the ordinations were performed “out of love for the Pope and the Church” and are necessary to preserve traditional doctrine.
Criticism and Opposition
Catholic ethicist Rev. Robert Gahl (Catholic University of America) warned that “you can’t serve tradition while disobeying the Church and her authority.” Several traditionalist laypersons expressed support, while others, such as Eduardo Limón (Mexico), described the Pope’s appeal as a “lost credibility” moment.
On-the-Ground Perspectives
Jean-Pierre Stauffer, a 79-year-old worshipper from Geneva, called the day “historic” and said “something very important is happening now; it won’t stop here.” Father Michel Rion, theology professor at the Écône seminary, asserted that the act was “not an act of rebellion but of love for the Church.”
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
Sources differ on SSPX’s exact size (600 000 members vs 733 priests) and on the number of attendees (15 000–17 000). The Vatican’s formal excommunication statement was pending at the time of reporting, leaving the canonical status of the six bishops uncertain.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I plead with you and ask you with all my heart: please turn back!” — Pope Leo XIV, letter to Davide Pagliarani.
- “to tear the seamless garment of Christ is a sin of extreme gravity.” — Pope Leo XIV, same letter.
- “precisely because we love the Pope as the vicar of Christ, as the head of the Church… we don't want to see the Pope humiliated any more, on the side of false shepherds representing false religions” — Davide Pagliarani, Écône homily.
- “You can’t serve tradition while disobeying the church and her authority,” — Rev. Robert Gahl, Catholic University of America.
What’s Next
The Vatican is expected to publish the latae sententiae excommunication decree. SSPX leaders have signaled a willingness to continue dialogue, while Pope Leo XIV has warned that further disobedience will deepen the schism. The situation remains a focal point for debates over tradition, authority, and unity within the global Catholic Church.
