SSPX Plans Unauthorized Bishop Consecrations in July

Vatican City - The Society of St. Pius X, a traditionalist Catholic group in irregular standing with the Roman Catholic Church, announced on February 2, 2026, its intention to consecrate new bishops without papal approval on July 1, reviving fears of a schism that has simmered for decades.

The Switzerland-based society, which exclusively celebrates the pre-Vatican II Latin Mass and rejects many reforms from the 1960s council, stated that the move addresses an "objective state of grave necessity" for its growing communities worldwide. Superior General Father Davide Pagliarani said the group sought an audience with Pope Leo XIV in August 2025 to request the consecrations but received a Vatican response that "does not in any way respond to our requests." With only two active bishops remaining - Bernard Fellay and Alfonso de Galarreta - the society argued that additional ordinations are essential to sustain its priestly formation and pastoral work, including schools, chapels, and seminaries serving adherents of the traditional liturgy.

The announcement echoes the society's founding crisis. Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre established the group in 1970 to preserve traditional practices...