Story perspectives

SSPX Seeks Reinstatement, Hopes Future Pope Restores Membership

7/6/2026

Summary

**SSPX Seeks Reinstatement**

A priest of the Society of St. Pius X told worshippers in Switzerland the group hopes to be welcomed back under a future pope.
The Society was excommunicated after four bishops were ordained without Pope Leo’s approval on Wednesday, which the Vatican says triggers excommunication.
Marcel Lefebvre consecrated those bishops without Pope John Paul II’s approval in the late 1980s, leading to excommunication and readmission in 2009 after Pope Benedict XVI lifted the judgment.

Summary

**SSPX Reinstated**

SSPX priests must accept Catholic doctrine, recognise Pope Leo XIV’s authority, and submit a handwritten petition to lift their excommunication.
After approval they serve a one-to-three-year probation before full ministerial duties resume.
Lay faithful aligned with SSPX must declare obedience to the Pope via their local bishop, each case evaluated individually.
Catholics who attended SSPX Masses without rejecting papal authority may return by consulting a priest in full communion, without penalty.

History

Historical Context

Founded in 1970 by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, the Society of Saint Pius X opposed Vatican II reforms. When Lefebvre consecrated four bishops without papal mandate on 30 June 1988, Pope John Paul II declared them automatically excommunicated; the penalties were lifted in 2009. In July 2026, SSPX repeated the act, consecrating another four bishops, prompting renewed excommunication by the Holy See.

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**SSPX Seeks Reinstatement**

A priest of the Society of St. Pius X told worshippers in Switzerland the group hopes to be welcomed back under a future pope.
The Society was excommunicated after four bishops were ordained without Pope Leo’s approval on Wednesday, which the Vatican says triggers excommunication.
Marcel Lefebvre consecrated those bishops without Pope John Paul II’s approval in the late 1980s, leading to excommunication and readmission in 2009 after Pope Benedict XVI lifted the judgment.

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