Traditionalist Catholics Defy Pope Leo XIV, Consecrate Four Bishops

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Traditionalist Catholics Defy Pope Leo XIV, Consecrate Four Bishops

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Traditionalist Catholics Defy Pope Leo XIV, Consecrate Four Bishops

Credited from: REUTERS

A breakaway Catholic group consecrated four bishops in Switzerland without papal consent.
The Society of St. Pius X cited a "sacred duty" in defiance of Pope Leo XIV's plea.
This consecration is a significant schismatic act, invoking automatic excommunication.
The event, held in Écône, attracted thousands and was livestreamed globally.
The Pope warned that such actions could harm the faithful and violate church law.

A breakaway group of traditionalist Catholics, the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX), defied Pope Leo XIV by consecrating four bishops without his consent on Wednesday in Écône, Switzerland. They asserted it was their "sacred duty" to uphold traditional Catholicism, disregarding the Pope's warnings about the serious implications of their actions, which they termed a "sin of extreme gravity" according to church law. This event marks a significant schism in the Catholic Church, contrasting sharply with Leo's efforts for unity, which have faced challenges since the start of his pontificate, particularly during Pope Francis's tenure, according to India Times, Africanews, and Reuters.

India Times and Africanews.

This act of consecration incurs automatic excommunication for the newly ordained bishops and the officiant, a consequence of church law regarding unauthorized bishop ordinations. The SSPX, which argues that it represents a need for more leadership aligned with pre-Vatican II traditions, has a history of tension with the Vatican dating back decades. Their founder, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, was excommunicated in 1988 for similar actions, leaving an enduring legacy of schism that continues to challenge the Holy See, as discussed in India Times, Africanews, and Reuters.