Pope Francis urges Society of St. Pius X to halt bishop ordinations

Pope Francis (XIV Leo) released an Italian‑language letter addressed to Davide Pagliarani, the head of the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX). The Pope warned that proceeding with planned episcopal consecrations without his approval would constitute a grave sin and risk a formal schism. He urged the society’s members to abandon the announced ordinations, emphasizing the Church’s readiness for dialogue and a possible agreement.

The letter acknowledges SSPX’s fidelity to liturgical tradition, priestly formation, apostolic zeal and desire for tradition, but stresses that “the tearing of Christ’s seamless robe is an extremely serious sin.” The Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, represented by Prefect Victor Manuel Fernández, had met with Pagliarani in February to propose suspending the consecrations. The society was founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre in 1970; a previous unauthorized consecration in 1988 led to automatic excommunication.