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Society of St. Pius X excommunicated by Pope Leo over schism : NPR
NPR • • general
Key Points:
- The Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) defied Pope Leo XIV by ordaining four new bishops without papal consent in Écône, Switzerland, prompting the Vatican to declare all involved in schism and excommunicated.
- The Vatican warned the SSPX that the ordinations would be schismatic and lead to automatic excommunication, a rare penalty that excludes individuals from church sacraments and membership.
- SSPX justified the consecrations by citing a "state of necessity" due to a dwindling number of bishops, despite ongoing doctrinal disputes and previous efforts by popes to reconcile with the society.
- The SSPX opposes Vatican II reforms such as vernacular Mass and interfaith dialogue, viewing their actions as defending true Catholic tradition rather than rebellion against the pope.
- The Vatican's latest decree reverses previous accommodations, declaring SSPX sacraments illicit and potentially ending decades of dialogue, marking a significant internal crisis for Pope Leo's papacy.
