Vatican Holy See Office Formally Notifies SSPX Bishops Of Excommunication.

Vatican City; July 2026: Since the traditionalist group consecrated bishops without papal approval, the Vatican issued a decree today (Thursdsay – 02nd July 2026) declaring those bishops and their consecrators automatically excommunicated.

Yesterday (Wednesday – 01st July 2026) the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) consecrated four bishops without the permission of Pope Leo XIV; accordingly, the Vatican issued a decree declaring the excommunication of all bishops involved in the ceremony.

Published on July 2 by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the decree specified that the consecrating bishops, Bishops Alfonso de Galarreta and Bernard Fellay, as well as the four bishops consecrated, Bishops Pascal Schreiber, Michael Goldade, Michel Poinsinet de Sivry, and Marc Hanappier, have incurred excommunication latae sententiae for performing the consecrations. These excommunications, according to canon law, can only be removed by the pope.

The decree also warned Catholic clergy and lay faithful not to adhere to the SSPX’s ‘schism’, under penalty of automatic excommunication. The decree, in an explanatory note, lamented that doctrinal discussions between the Holy See and the SSPX, since the time of Saint Paul VI, have not resulted in the society’s full communion with the Holy See.

Decree Of The Dicastery For The Doctrine Of The Faith, 02.07.2026 –

Despite the admonitions addressed to the Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X, Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta, having performed an act of a schismatic nature through the episcopal consecration of four priests, without pontifical mandate and against the will of the Supreme Pontiff, ipso facto incurred the penalties provided for by can. 1387 and can. 1364 § 1 CIC 2021.

I therefore declare for all juridical purposes that both the above-mentioned Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta and Pascal Schreiber, Michael Goldade, Michel Poinsinet de Sivry and Marc Hanappier have ipso facto incurred the latae sententiae excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See.

I also declare that Bishop Bernard Fellay, having participated directly in the liturgical celebration as a co-consecrator, having thus publicly adhered to the schismatic act, has incurred the latae sententiae excommunication provided for by can. 1364 § 1 CIC 2021.

Clerics and lay faithful are admonished not to adhere to the schism of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X, because they would ipso facto incur the penalty of excommunication latae sententiae.

From the Dicastery Palace, 2 July 2026

Víctor M. Card. Fernández

Prefect

John J. Kennedy

Archbishop tit. by Ossero

Secretary for the Disciplinary Section

Msgr. Armando Matteo

Secretary for the Doctrinal Section

Earlier, the Vatican Holy See’s Office had stated on May 13, that the consecrations would be a schismatic act, resulting in automatic excommunication for the consecrating bishops and those consecrated. The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, later called the SSPX’s act ‘schismatic’.

Holy Father – Pope Leo XIV even issued a final appeal to the society not to proceed with these consecrations. “In this spirit, and filled with Christian affection, I plead with you and ask you with all my heart: Please turn back”, Leo wrote in his letter.

LETTER OF POPE LEO XIV TO THE SUPERIOR GENERAL OF THE PRIESTLY FRATERNITY OF SAINT PIUS X –

To The Reverend

Davide Pagliarani

Superior General

of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X

With a paternal heart, and aware of the responsibility entrusted to me by the Lord as the Successor of the Apostle Peter, I address you and, through you, the bishops, priests, seminarians and faithful connected to the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X.

The Church recognizes the devotion to liturgical life, commitment to priestly formation, apostolic zeal and desire for fidelity to Tradition that characterize many people and communities connected to your Fraternity. This has motivated the attentive and generous attitude that my Predecessors have consistently shown to you.

In this spirit, and filled with Christian affection, I plead with you and ask you with all my heart: please turn back! I urge you to consider carefully the spiritual good of the faithful, because the schismatic act you are about to undertake would deprive them of the licit and, in some cases, even valid reception of the Sacraments, which they love and seek for their sanctification.

The Church is open to a path of dialogue and understanding that the Holy Spirit can make possible and fruitful.

I pray for you, because to tear the seamless garment of Christ is a sin of extreme gravity. May the Lord enlighten your consciences and awaken your hearts? With a sorrowful yet hopeful heart, I feel it is my duty, through the authority received from Christ, to ask you to desist from your intended act. I entrust these intentions to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Good Counsel.

From the Vatican, 29 June 2026

Solemnity of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul

LEO PP. XIV

In 1988, after Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, the founder of the SSPX, consecrated bishops without a papal mandate, the Vatican responded two days later, notifying him and the consecrated bishops of their automatic excommunication.

The SSPX exclusively celebrates the Traditional Latin Mass and has rejected certain teachings and reforms of the Second Vatican Council, particularly regarding religious freedom and the Church’s approach to other faiths.

Team Maverick.