Society of St. Pius X appeals four bishops' excommunications to the Vatican
The traditionalist Society of St. Pius X said on October 13 that it has started canonical proceedings against the excommunications imposed on July 2, after four of its priests were consecrated bishops without the Holy See's authorization
The Society of St. Pius X has begun proceedings under canon law to challenge the excommunications imposed on July 2 after four of its priests were consecrated bishops without authorization from the Holy See. The traditionalist society announced the move on October 13 in a statement saying it will follow the procedures set out in canon law to present its objections.
The consecrations took place on July 1. The Holy See regarded them as an act of disobedience to the authority of Pope Leo XIV. In its statement, the SSPX said it has carefully followed the deadlines and procedures that canon law requires for such an appeal. Consecrating a bishop without a papal mandate is one of the most serious offenses in canon law.
Tradition and modernism in the Catholic Church
The society said it wants the sanctions reviewed, saying its action was driven by the need to preserve Catholic tradition at a time of what it considers growing modernism within the Church. For the SSPX, the doctrinal and liturgical decisions taken since the Second Vatican Council amount to an unacceptable break with tradition. The Vatican hierarchy regards them as a necessary opening to the contemporary world.
The SSPX was founded in 1970 by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, who presented himself from the start as a rigorous interpreter of Catholic orthodoxy and a sharp critic of the conciliar reforms. Since then the society has resisted what it considers progressive deviations, stressing the preservation of the traditional Latin liturgy and of doctrine without concessions. Its relationship with Rome has remained tense, marked by occasional confrontations and partial reconciliations, and never by a full return to communion with the Church.
Tensions between the two sides have grown in recent years, particularly under the previous pontificate.
The SSPX hopes the appeal will open a dialogue about the decisions taken by the Holy See and lead to a resolution allowing reconciliation and the restoration of full communion with the Church.
