Summary
Pope Leo XIV is facing his first significant crisis with traditionalist Catholics, specifically with the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX), who have been opposed to modernizing reforms since the 1960s Second Vatican Council. The SSPX plans to consecrate new bishops without papal consent in July, violating a key doctrine guaranteeing apostolic succession lineage from Christ’s original apostles. Founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre in 1970, the group has grown into an international organization with schools, chapels, and seminaries worldwide. In 1988, Lefebvre consecrated four bishops without papal consent, leading to his excommunication and the group’s lack of legal status within the Catholic Church. Despite previous attempts at reconciliation under Pope Benedict XVI in 2009 when the SSPX’s surviving bishops were lifted from excommunication and restrictions on celebrating the Latin Mass eased, tensions have only grown since Francis’ 2017 crackdown. Now, faced with potential schism, the Vatican is exploring ways to avoid a rupture through negotiations. The Pope Leo XIV has acknowledged the difficulties but maintained an openness to dialogue in hopes of resolving these issues.
Key Topics
Vatican City, SSPX, Schism
