Pope Urges FSSPX to Cancel Bishops' Ordinations

Pope Leo XIV has again urged the traditionalist Priestly Society of St. Pius X (FSSPX), commonly known as the Lefebvrists, to abandon its plan to ordain four new bishops on July 1 without a papal mandate. The Vatican warned that such a move would constitute a schismatic act and could result in excommunication.

In a letter addressed to the Society's Superior General, David Pagliarani, the Pope praised the FSSPX's commitment to the liturgy, priestly formation, apostolic work, and fidelity to Catholic tradition. He said these qualities were among the reasons his predecessors had treated the Society with patience.

The Pope urged the Society to cancel the planned episcopal ordinations, warning that proceeding without papal approval would deepen the schism between the FSSPX and the Catholic Church.

He cautioned that such a schismatic act could deprive the faithful of access to the sacraments and, in some cases, call into question the validity of their reception. At the same time, he stressed that the Catholic Church remains open to dialogue and reconciliation.

(tasr, bak)