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Vatican excommunicates six ultraconservative bishops over unauthorized ordinations

Vatican excommunicates group of right-wing Catholic bishops over unauthorized ordinationsMembers of rebel Catholic group in schism, excommunicated, Vatican saysWhat to know about Society of St Pius X, the Catholic traditionalists in new schismSchismatic Catholic society sees six bishops excommunicated by PopeVatican excommunicates six ultraconservative bishops over ordinationRebel Catholic group in Switzerland unrepentant over excommunication

The Vatican excommunicated six ultraconservative bishops from the Society of St. Pius X on July 2, 2026, in Vatican City, after the group consecrated four new bishops without Pope Leo XIV's approval, defying a direct plea to stop.

This action exacerbates a rift that began in 1988 when the group first consecrated bishops without papal consent, leading to decades of failed reconciliation attempts.

The excommunication marks a decisive escalation in the long-standing schism between the Vatican and this traditionalist Catholic movement.

Vatican Perspective

The Vatican states that the Society of St. Pius X has repeatedly defied papal authority by consecrating bishops without approval, rendering its members in schism and excommunicated after failed reconciliation efforts dating to Pope Paul VI.

Rebel Group Perspective

Members of the breakaway group in Switzerland remain unrepentant, accusing the Church of abandoning traditional faith and claiming Pope Leo XIV ignored their concerns about doctrinal purity.

  • The Society of St. Pius X counts an estimated 500,000 to 1 million adherents worldwide, primarily in Europe and North America.
  • The title 'Leo' was last used by Pope Leo XIII, who served from 1878 to 1903 and was known for his social justice teachings.
  • The consecration of a bishop without papal approval is considered a grave violation of Catholic canon law dating back to the 11th century.
Vatican excommunicates six ultraconservative bishops over unauthorized ordinations | Implica