Fears of Catholic schism as defiant sect ordains ultra-conservative bishops
Summary
A group of ultra-conservative Catholics called the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) ordained four bishops without the pope’s permission, which led to their automatic excommunication. The SSPX opposes modern changes in the Catholic Church and sees their actions as a duty to protect church tradition, while Pope Leo called the ordinations a serious break from church unity.Key Facts
- The SSPX held a ceremony in Ecône, Switzerland, to ordain four new bishops without Pope Leo’s approval.
- All five bishops involved face automatic excommunication according to Catholic law.
- The SSPX opposes changes from the Second Vatican Council, such as allowing Mass to be said in local languages instead of only Latin.
- Pope Leo called the ordinations a “schismatic act” and a “sin of extreme gravity.”
- The SSPX was founded in 1970 to resist liberalizing reforms in the Catholic Church.
- The group has about 1,500 priests and members, with strong bases in the US (Kansas), France, and Argentina.
- The SSPX’s last major conflict with the Vatican was in 1988, when its founder was excommunicated for similar unauthorized ordinations.
- Pope Leo, elected in 2023 as the first North American pope, has focused on church unity and healing divides with traditionalists.
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