Pope Leo XIV has sent a letter to the traditionalist Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) asking the group not to proceed with episcopal consecrations scheduled for July 1 without papal approval. The letter, published on June 30 — the eve of the planned consecrations in Écône, Switzerland — was addressed to SSPX Superior General Fr. Davide Pagliarani.“With this spirit, and full of Christian affection, I beg and ask you with all my heart: Turn back!” the Pope wrote.
He cautioned that the “schismatic act” would harm the faithful, depriving them of “the lawful and, in some cases, even valid reception of the sacraments that they love and seek for their own sanctification.”Calling the planned consecrations a “sin of extreme gravity,” Pope Leo XIV added: “I pray for you, because tearing the seamless Robe of Christ is a sin of the utmost gravity. May the Lord enlighten your consciences and move your hearts.”The Vatican had already declared on May 13 that such consecrations would constitute a schismatic act, resulting in the automatic excommunication of both the consecrating bishops and those being consecrated.
On June 16, the Pope warned that the SSPX’s plans risked causing a schism and said he and the Holy See were preparing a final appeal.Hours after the Pope’s letter was published on Tuesday afternoon, Fr. Pagliarani responded on behalf of the SSPX. While thanking Leo XIV for his “paternal concern,” he maintained that consecrating four bishops without a papal mandate would not be an act of schism. He also urged the Pope to reconsider the excommunications that would follow.“Far be it from us to separate ourselves from the Roman Church; on the contrary, we wish to serve her by extraordinary means, as one helps a mother who is going through a serious difficulty and needs special help that not everyone understands,” Pagliarani wrote. “A gesture of understanding on the part of Your Holiness, far from harming unity, can only demonstrate to the world and to all Christians your concern for unity and your fatherly kindness,” he added.
The SSPX, whose members are also known as Lefebvrists, celebrates exclusively the traditional Latin Mass and has rejected certain teachings and reforms of the Second Vatican Council, particularly regarding religious freedom and the Church’s stance toward other denominations.