VATICAN CITY — The Vatican on Thursday declared the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) in schism and excommunicated six bishops after the traditionalist group consecrated four new bishops without Pope Leo XIV’s approval, escalating its response beyond the penalties prescribed under canon law.
The Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith said the consecrations, held Wednesday at the SSPX seminary in Econe, Switzerland, constituted a “schismatic act” and formally severed the society’s communion with the Catholic Church.
The Vatican excommunicated the four newly consecrated bishops and the two bishops who performed the ordinations.
It also warned Catholics not to formally affiliate with the SSPX, saying those who do would also be considered in schism and incur excommunication.
In addition, the Vatican declared invalid the sacraments of confession and marriage administered by SSPX priests.
The SSPX proceeded with the episcopal consecrations despite lacking papal approval, which the Catholic Church requires for the valid appointment of bishops under its governing rules.
The Vatican said its measures were intended to address the society’s unauthorized actions and clarify the canonical status of the group and its members.