Vatican threatens excommunication of SSPX over unauthorized bishop ordinations

The Holy See, under Pope Leo XIV, warned the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) that its plan to ordain four bishops on 1 July without papal mandate constitutes a schismatic act that will automatically trigger excommunication of both the consecrating and newly ordained bishops. Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández reiterated that “the episcopal ordinations announced by the Society of Saint Pius X do not have the required papal mandate” and that such an act “would entail a schismatic act and lead to excommunication.”

SSPX leader Davide Pagliarani affirmed the society’s intention to proceed, stating that its priests would “rather die than renounce” their principles. The Vatican has offered a theological dialogue to resolve the long‑standing dispute, but SSPX has rejected demands to accept the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. Rumors of broader excommunications have also circulated.

The confrontation involves roughly 600,000 SSPX members worldwide and underscores the Vatican’s effort to maintain doctrinal unity.