The Catholic Church has announced a decisive measure to formally separate and excommunicate several priests and lay members belonging to the Society of St. Pius X, following accusations of rebellion against the authority of Pope Leo XIV and involvement in actions deemed contrary to Canon Law.
According to the Vatican’s doctrinal office responsible for matters of faith, the Switzerland-based society had long been accused of diverging from official Church teaching and distancing itself from the authority of the Pope.
Unauthorized Appointment of Bishops Triggers Crisis
The decision was taken after the group announced in July that it had appointed four priests as bishops in a move carried out without the approval of the Pope.
The individuals consecrated as bishops include Marc Hanappier, Michel Poinsinet de Sivry, Michael Goldade, and Pascal Schreiber.
The Vatican stated that such an act constitutes a grave violation of Church law, as the authority to appoint bishops belongs exclusively to the Pope, in order to preserve the unity of the global Church.
Consequences of the Decision
Church authorities declared that members of the group, including priests and openly supportive lay followers, have been placed in a state of separation from the Church.
This means they are no longer permitted to administer or receive sacraments such as marriage and other rites unless they repent and return to full communion with the Church.
The bishops appointed without authorization, along with the four priests involved in their consecration, have been formally declared excommunicated under Canon Law.
The Society of St. Pius X is widely known for rejecting certain decisions of the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II), advocating a return to older traditions, including exclusive use of the Latin Mass.
The Vatican emphasized that this decision is intended to protect the unity of the Catholic Church and preserve its apostolic tradition rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ, while preventing further fragmentation within the global Church.
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