Vatican excommunicates Saint Pius X for illicit bishop ordinations

The Holy See announced that the Society of Saint Pius X (FSSPX) has been excommunicated after the group performed four unauthorized episcopal ordinations in Ecône, Switzerland. The Vatican declared the act a "schismatic act" and expelled the bishop who led the ordinations, Alfonso de Galarreta, the other participating bishop, and the four newly ordained priests. It also stated that sacraments of confession and marriage administered by the Society are invalid, and urged Catholics not to attend its Masses.

The Society defended the ordinations, saying they were necessary for the salvation of souls and expressed loyalty to the Pope, with General Superior Davide Pagliarani asserting that the group loves the Pope yet cannot remain silent while he is “humiliated.” The dispute echoes a similar 1988 episode when the Society also consecrated bishops without papal consent, leading to earlier excommunications that were partially lifted in 2009. The current Vatican action intensifies the long‑standing schism between traditionalist Catholics and the Roman hierarchy.