SSPX rejects Pope's request and consecrates four bishops
The Society of Saint Pius X has consecrated four new bishops at Écône, after warnings from the Holy See that the ceremony would incur automatic excommunication
(Catholic Herald) — Four new bishops have been consecrated for the Society of Saint Pius X today, against the direct wish of Pope Leo XIV, in an action which the Holy See has warned would incur the penalty of latae sententiae excommunication.
Before a crowd of more than 16,000 gathered at the Society seminary of Écône, Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta consecrated the priests, handpicked to be the bishops who will continue the sacramental ministry of the SSPX for decades to come. Signalling the Society’s long-term planning when it comes to the consecrations, the youngest of the four new bishops is just 36.
{Video of the declaration read in place of the papal mandate is found below.
Bishop Pascal Schreiber, Bishop Michael Goldade, Bishop Michel Poinsinet de Sivry and Bishop Marc Hanappier now join Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta and Bishop Bernard Fellay to comprise six bishops for the Society.
Just as in 1988, the Pope has once again not given his mandate for the consecrations. Hence, in place of reading aloud the papal mandate during the ceremony, the liturgical notary read out a declaration which stated:
“It is the Catholic and Roman Church, always faithful to the traditions received from the apostles, who in entirely exceptional circumstances demands that we provide for the upholding of these traditions, that is the deposit of faith, and that we take the means necessary to transmit them faithfully to all men for the salvation of their souls.
“Since the Second Vatican Council up to the present day the authorities in the Church have been animated by a spirit that is contrary to the faith and have been acting against holy tradition. They will no longer endure sound doctrine.”
The rest of this analysis conducted by this correspondent exclusively for The Catholic Herald can be read here.