The Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has formally declared that priests and lay followers of the Society of St. Pius X are in schism and excommunicated following the group’s unauthorized ordination of bishops in Switzerland. According to the Vatican, the move highlights a deepening divide over the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, which the ultra-traditionalist society rejects.
Why the Vatican Issued the Excommunication Decree
The Vatican’s top watchdog authority issued the decree to address the unauthorized consecration of new bishops, an act the Church considers a severe violation of its structure. According to official Church teaching, only the pope holds the authority to consecrate bishops, a practice designed to maintain a direct link to the 12 apostles. By performing these rites without papal approval, the Society of St. Pius X has effectively severed its formal ties to the global Church.
The decree specifically targets the two bishops who led the ceremony and the four priests who were ordained, confirming their automatic excommunication. However, the Vatican extended these sanctions further than many observers anticipated, stating that all priests of the Society and any lay Catholics who “adhere formally” to the group are now in schism.
The term “schism” signifies a formal and severe rupture within the Catholic community.
How the Society of St. Pius X Responded
The Society of St. Pius X has signaled it intends to continue its operations despite the Vatican’s ruling. A member of the group, identifying himself as Father Benedict, told Reuters that the organization plans to “just keep going.” According to Benedict, the group maintains a respect for the pope but feels the Vatican has “shut the door” on them.
The Society, which counts 733 priests worldwide, argues that it requires its own bishops to ensure the group has enough leadership. This friction is not new; the society’s founder, Marcel Lefebvre, was excommunicated in 1988 under similar circumstances after ordaining bishops without the permission of then-Pope John Paul II.
The Central Conflict: Vatican II Reforms
The core of the dispute lies in the Society’s rejection of the Second Vatican Council, a landmark series of reforms in the 1960s. While the broader Church views these reforms as essential to modernizing relations with other faiths and denominations, the Society of St. Pius X remains committed to pre-1960s traditions, including the exclusive use of the Latin Mass.
According to Massimo Faggioli, a professor at Villanova University and an expert on the papacy, the current pope views the reforms of Vatican II as “fundamental elements” of Church teaching. Faggioli notes that the papacy has shown a clear reluctance to compromise on these reforms, insisting that the Church must move forward.
Pro Tips for Understanding Church Re-entry
- For Lay Catholics: Those seeking to return to full communion must meet with their local bishop to sign a profession of faith and an adherence to official Church teaching.
- For Priests: Repentant priests must follow a similar process, including a formal letter of apology to the pope and a declaration of support for post-1960s Church reforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be “out of communion”?
According to the Vatican, those in schism are unable to receive sacraments, including confession or marriage, until they formally repent and ask for forgiveness.
Has this happened before?
Yes. Marcel Lefebvre was excommunicated in 1988 for unauthorized ordinations. Later, Pope Benedict XVI attempted to renew dialogue with the society and lifted four remaining excommunications.
Can the excommunication be reversed?
Yes, the Vatican has provided a pathway for both laypeople and priests to return to the Church through specific acts of profession and formal requests for forgiveness.
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