Summary
Pope Francis’s Fraternity of Saint Peter X (FSSPX) did not authorize any new bishops, as Pope Leo XIV stated in a recent communication. The FSSPX, led by Monsignor Bernard Fellay, had previously refused to ordain new bishops unless authorized by the Holy See. This decision was made against the backdrop of previous meetings between Francis and Fellay, including an “intimate” encounter on April 2, 2016 in Vatican City. Despite years of a steady dialogue, recent communication from the Holy See highlights six-year-old letters sent particularly during 2017-2019 to the Holy See, emphasizing the need for a clear authorization from Pope Francis for ordinations. The summary notes that this decision was made without prior mention and suggests it might have been done in anticipation of any future agreements with the FSSPX. In contrast, Pope Benedict XVI had earlier lifted the excommunication of four bishops affiliated with the FSSPX in 2014.
Key Topics
Vatican City, FSSPX, Communion
