Pope Leo XIV Addresses Breakaway Catholic Movement
Pope Leo XIV’s first significant confrontation with the separatist faction within the Catholic Church concluded Thursday when the Vatican declared a schism in the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX).
This decision followed a decree issued by the Holy See, which excommunicated four newly consecrated bishops along with two who participated in their ordination ceremony. It marks a culmination of years of effort by previous popes to reconcile with traditionalist groups that have resisted reforms from the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s. These reforms included allowing Mass to be held in local languages, moving away from the exclusive use of Latin.
Pope Leo urged breakaway Catholic factions to avoid actions he deemed “sins of extreme gravity.”
In the recent ceremony, the newly consecrated bishops—Marc Hanapier, Michel Poisine de Chivry, Michael Goldard, and Pascal Schreiber—were observed wearing ceremonial attire and holding pastoral staffs.
Only the pope has the authority to approve the consecration of bishops, which is crucial for maintaining church unity and the apostolic succession. The Vatican’s sanctions have also revoked certain concessions made in recent years aimed at reintegrating the SSPX into full communion with Rome. From now on, the group will be unable to effectively administer sacraments like confession and marriage, and Catholics attending SSPX Masses are being encouraged to distance themselves from the group.
The Vatican’s actions came just days after Pope Leo made a rare appeal to Rev. David Pagliarani, the leader of the SSPX, urging him to stop the planned consecration. In a letter, the pope expressed concerns that this ordination could exacerbate an already deep divide between the group and the Vatican.
This situation has tested Leo’s papacy, particularly as he aims to address divisions within the Church and reconnect with conservative factions alienated during Pope Francis’ tenure.
During the consecration, Pagliarani defended the ordination, stating it was a service to the Church rather than an act against the pope. He asserted that their criticisms are fueled by a genuine love for the Pope and a desire not to witness him being undermined by those they consider false leaders.
The Society of St. Pius X was founded in 1970 by French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, who has long been critical of the theological changes stemming from the Second Vatican Council. Lefebvre faced excommunication back in 1988 after consecrating bishops without papal consent, igniting a similar dispute.
Though previous excommunications were lifted by Pope Benedict XVI in an attempt to foster dialogue, the SSPX has yet to restore full communion with the Vatican and continues to operate outside its formal structure.
Despite its contentious status, the Society is said to be flourishing, with numerous priests, seminarians, and religious members actively serving followers in various countries, which has positioned it as one of the largest traditionalist Catholic movements beyond Vatican authority.
