Summary
In 2018, Pope Francis disbanded the Faith and Spirituality of St. Pius X (FSSPX), a splinter group led by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre who had been granted permission to consecrate bishops by the Vatican. Despite publicly submitting to Church authorities in liturgical and sacramental contexts, FSSPX members have operated parallel networks for decades. The article highlights how these individuals engage in what it calls “neocon fidelity,” where they outwardly demonstrate obedience while privately rejecting authority. This practice has been evident since at least 2015 when Lefebvre consecrated bishops who were later disbanded by Pope Francis. FSSPX members have used various tactics, including orchestrated public displays of grief and scandalous reactions from the hierarchy, to maintain their position despite persistent scrutiny and marginalization. Their approach to obedience is characterized by flexibility: they obey when it serves their interests and remain indifferent when faced with punishment or dismissal. The FSSPX has recently announced planned episcopal consecrations, which have sparked controversy due to their public displays of mourning and moral outrage, seemingly in response to the Vatican’s scrutiny over their operations.
Key Topics
Vatican City, FSSPX, Bishops
