Society of Saint Pius X ordains four bishops, sparking new Catholic schism

The traditionalist Society of Saint Pius X (FSSPX) held a five‑hour ceremony in a tent at its seminary in Écône, Switzerland, and consecrated four new bishops without the consent of Pope Francis. The bishops – Pascal Schreiber (Switzerland), Michael Goldade (United States), Michel Poinsinet de Sivry and Marc Hanappier (both France) – were ordained by Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta, who himself was previously excommunicated for an illicit consecration in 1988, together with Bishop Bernard Fellay.

The Vatican had issued a letter urging the society to cancel the ceremony, warning that such ordinations constitute a “grave schismatic act” that triggers automatic excommunication for the consecrators and the new bishops. Around 15 000–16 000 faithful attended the event, which was livestreamed in several languages. The FSSPX, which opposes post‑Vatican II reforms, said it would accept any consequences to preserve what it calls the “true faith.”