Leo urges SSPX against consecrations: Praises their love of Tradition and promises 'dialogue'
The Pope's letter comes as his first personal appeal to the SSPX, as they prepare to consecrate four bishops on July 1 without having been granted the papal mandate.
VATICAN CITY (PerMariam) — Pope Leo XIV has sent a personal appeal to the Society of St. Pius X, urging them to halt the planned July 1 episcopal consecrations as it would be a “sin of extreme gravity.”
Just 24-hours before the SSPX plans to consecrate four new bishops, the Pope sent his much awaited final appeal to the Society, seeking to call off the ceremony even at such late notice. It was two weeks ago to the day that Leo commented he intended to make such an appeal, and ever since then Vatican observers have been waiting to see what form it would take.
“I pray for you, because to tear the seamless garment of Christ is a sin of extreme gravity,” Leo wrote.
He added, notably:
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 appeal from the Pope comes as the first direct move he has made to the Society, who have long lamented that he has not met with them.
Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández has been the Holy See’s point man for negotiations with the SSPX, but these negotiations broke down in February.
Since then, Bishop Athanasius Schneider has made numerous appeals for Leo to grant the bishops the papal mandate to consecrate more prelates for the Society. Simultaneously, the SSPX has continued with their very detailed preparations for the July 1 ceremony.
One solution which does not seem to have been publicly explored is for the Society to ask the Holy Father for bishops, such as Schneider and others familiar with the SSPX, to consecrate bishops for them – thus enabling dialogue with the Holy See to continue and for the Society’s concerns about continuing the ready availability of the sacraments in the traditional rites.
What the SSPX decides to now in these coming hours will have huge ramifications for the Church. The Holy See has warned of the penalty of excommunication – a penalty which would likely be levied against the bishops involved, according to Cardinal Raymond Burke.
This weekend, Cardinal Gerhard Müller urged the College of Cardinals to respond as a body to the SSPX’s open letter addressed to them. No discussion took place at the consistory about the SSPX, but it seems that Leo took Müller’s intervention to heart over the weekend.
A precursor of today’s papal letter could also be seen during Leo’s homily on the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, when he stated: “Communion within the Church is not built by clinging rigidly to one’s own position, but by seeking, in all hearts, points of encounter in the Truth, in whose light alone each person becomes a means of growth for another.”
Unity is key for Leo, but many have observed that dialogue with the SSPX might be more fruitful if he replaced Cdl. Fernández with a man who is less mired in scandal.
Letter of Pope Leo XIV to the 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
In other words, “the beatings will continue until morale improves”.
Why would anyone believe anything a public heretic says after he placed man above Jesus Christ in the order of the Church? Let him be anathema!