Doctrinal Office Says SSPX Bishop Consecrations Constitute ‘Schismatic Act’ Subject to Excommunication
Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández said the planned ordinations lack a pontifical mandate and would bring excommunication under Church law.
- On Wednesday, Cardinal Manuel Fernández declared the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X's planned bishop consecrations a "schismatic act," stating they lack pontifical mandate and entail excommunication under Church law.
- In February, Father Davide Pagliarani announced the Society would proceed with consecrations on July 1 following a breakdown in communication after requests for an audience with Pope Leo XIV went unanswered.
- Citing a "grave necessity," Father Pagliarani rejected a Vatican offer to continue dialogue conditional on suspending the consecrations, noting the Society and Holy See remain divided over the Second Vatican Council.
- Father Pagliarani wrote that the "hand extended to open dialogue" is accompanied by threats of sanctions, while the Holy Father continues praying the Society leaders retrace their steps regarding this decision.
- Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre and four priests he ordained were excommunicated by Pope John Paul II in 1988, who ruled no objective necessity justified defying papal authority—a precedent the Vatican now invokes.
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Ultimatum of the Dicastery of the Faith: no to new consecrations. Vacuum attempts at mediation
The followers of Lefebvre want to appoint new bishops without the Pope's permission, a "sysmatic act" according to the Holy See.
If the SSPX consecrations happen, who exactly is excommunicated?
The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith reiterated Wednesday that if the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X carries out plans to illicitly consecrate bishops in July, those involved will commit an act of schism and be subject to the canonical penalty of excommunication.Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández attends the consistory for the creation of 21 new cardinals in St. Peter’s Square on Oct. 2, 2023. © Mazur/cbcew.org.uk.“We reiterate what h…
If the Lefebvrians go ahead with the ordination of new bishops, they will incur an accusation of schism.The dialogue between the Vatican and the so-called Priestly Fraternity St.Pius X has reached a point of rupture hardly reversibleKeep reading...
National Catholic Register
ewtnnews.comVatican Says SSPX Faces Excommunications for 'Schismatic' Bishop Consecrations
Daniel Ibanez/EWTN News Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández said Pope Leo XIV is praying for the leaders of the SSPX to 'reconsider the very grave decision they have made.'
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Northwest CatholicDoctrinal office says SSPX bishop consecrations constitute ‘schismatic act’ subject to excommunication
In a statement released May 13 by the Vatican press office, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández said the SSPX did "not have the requisite pontifical mandate" and that "formal adherence to the schism constitutes a grave offense against God and entails the excommunication established under Church law."
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