The Vatican has excommunicated priests and lay members of the Society of St. Pius X after the group ordained bishops without papal permission.
This move signals a severe escalation in the conflict between the central leadership of the Catholic Church and traditionalist factions. By declaring a formal schism, the Vatican is asserting its absolute authority over the appointment of bishops, a cornerstone of ecclesiastical hierarchy.
On July 1, 2026, the Society of St. Pius X consecrated four bishops [1] at its international seminary in Écône, Switzerland [2]. This act was performed without the approval of Pope Leo XIV [3]. The Vatican subsequently announced the formal excommunications on July 2, 2026 [4].
"The Vatican formalized the excommunications and declared that the Society of St. Pius X had entered schism," a Vatican spokesperson said [5].
Under canon law, the appointment of bishops is reserved for the Pope. When a group bypasses this authority, it is viewed as a rejection of the church's structure. "Creating new bishops without papal approval is regarded as a 'schismatic act' in canon law," The Week editorial staff said [6].
The Society of St. Pius X is a traditionalist group that has long clashed with the Vatican over liturgical and doctrinal changes. The recent ordinations in Switzerland were the final trigger for the current sanctions. A Vatican statement said the church declares a schism after the bishops were ordained without the approval of the Pope [7].
The excommunication removes the members of the society from the sacramental life of the Catholic Church. This means they are forbidden from receiving the Eucharist and other sacraments unless they reconcile with the Holy See.
“The Vatican formalized the excommunications and declared that the Society of St. Pius X had entered schism.”
The declaration of a formal schism represents one of the most severe penalties the Vatican can impose. By consecrating their own bishops, the Society of St. Pius X has created a self-sustaining hierarchy that can operate independently of Rome. This move effectively splits the traditionalist movement into those who remain loyal to the papacy and those who prioritize traditionalist purity over institutional unity, potentially leading to a permanent structural break within the global church.
