Summary
A breakaway Catholic traditionalist group, the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX), has rejected the Vatican’s offer of talks regarding its planned consecrations of new bishops without papal consent, which is expected to lead to a collision course with Pope Leo XIV. In a letter sent to the Vatican’s doctrine chief, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, the SSPX claimed that the Holy See’s threat of sanctions and schism if they proceed was inconsistent with its desire for fraternal exchanges and constructive dialogue. The group, which celebrated the old Latin Mass in opposition to the Second Vatican Council, broke with Rome in 1988 after Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre consecrated four bishops without papal consent. Currently, the SSPX has no legal status within the church but continues to grow, counting 733 priests and religious personnel worldwide. Earlier this month, the SSPX announced its intention to consecrate four new bishops in July 1, arguing it needs them for survival as a parallel church to minister to its growing faithful. Despite Vatican efforts to initiate talks through Cardinal Fernández on February 12, who proposed theological dialogue only if the SSPX suspended planned ceremonies, the group has refused any form of negotiation. The SSPX believes that without doctrinal agreement and due to the number of Catholic faithful using their churches, it should be allowed to continue its work. Pope Leo XIV has sought to pacify relations with traditionalists but faces a crisis under this threat from the SSPX.
Key Topics
Vatican City, SSPX, Second Vatican Council
