Vatican excommunicates new SSPX bishops, outlines return guidelines

On 1 July 2026 the Society of St. Pius X consecrated four bishops in Écône—Pascal Schreiber (Switzerland), Michael Goldade (United States), Michel Poinsinet de Sivry (France) and Marc Hanappier (France). The Vatican responded the next morning, issuing a decree that placed the newly ordained bishops, their co‑consecrators and any participating clergy and laity under a latae sententiae excommunication, characterising the ceremony as a schismatic act.

Subsequently the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith released a new procedure for the reintegration of priests and lay persons who leave the Society. The protocol, effective from 1 July 2026, requires a departing priest to obtain the consent of his diocesan ordinary, submit a handwritten letter to the Pope, provide evidence of his ordination, and sign a profession of faith and a pledge of fidelity to the Holy See. Lay members must also submit a personalized statement of responsibility, after which the dicastery will lift sanctions and allow a trial period of one to three years before possible incardination. The measures aim to facilitate reconciliation without the need for a special commission previously used under the Ecclesia Dei initiative.