Vatican excommunicates hundreds of thousands of splinter sect followers
Summary
The Vatican has excommunicated over 500,000 members of the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX), a traditionalist Catholic group, after the SSPX consecrated four new bishops without the Pope’s permission. This decision includes all the group’s lay members, marking a rare and severe Church penalty.Key Facts
- The Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) is a conservative Catholic group founded in 1970 opposing Church reforms from the 1960s.
- The SSPX has about 600,000 followers worldwide, mainly in the US, France, and the UK.
- On Wednesday, the SSPX consecrated four new bishops in Geneva against the Pope’s direct order.
- The Vatican excommunicated all six SSPX bishops and declared all lay members to be schismatic and excommunicated.
- Excommunication means these members are cut off from Church sacraments and religious life.
- SSPX prefers Latin Mass and more traditional practices, rejecting modern changes like using local languages or allowing communion to be received standing.
- The Vatican said those who leave SSPX and want to return to the Catholic Church will be welcomed back.
- The excommunication represents a stronger break between SSPX and the main Catholic Church than before, despite earlier attempts at reconciliation.
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