Society of St. Pius X to Consecrate Four Bishops on July 1 Without Papal Approval

The Society of St. Pius X announced in May that it will consecrate four priests as bishops on July 1 without papal approval. Newsweek reported that the Vatican has stated the consecrations would constitute a schismatic act resulting in automatic excommunication under Canon 1383 of the Code of Canon Law.

The four priests named are Michael Goldade of the United States, Pascal Schreiber of Switzerland, Michel Poinsinet de Sivry of France, and Marc Hanappier of France. On Friday the SSPX published the episcopal coats of arms prepared for the four men. Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández warned the group last month that the consecrations would entail excommunication established by church law.

Pope Leo XIV said earlier this month that the SSPX is choosing excommunication and that the Vatican must move forward if that choice is made. The pope also stated in June that the group refuses to accept fundamental elements of the Church, beginning with points of the Second Vatican Council.

SSPX Superior General Davide Pagliarani wrote to Pope Leo XIV that members have no other desire than to live in the Roman Catholic Faith yet would rather die than renounce their traditionalist principles.

The group currently has two bishops, both approaching their 70s, and stated it needs additional bishops to continue operations as it grows. In 1988 Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre consecrated four bishops without papal mandate, resulting in automatic excommunication for Lefebvre, the new bishops, and the co-consecrator. Pope Benedict XVI lifted the excommunications of the surviving bishops in 2009.

The 1988 decree did not extend excommunication to ordinary SSPX priests or lay attendees. Excommunication under canon law is described as a medicinal penalty that bars a person from receiving sacraments such as Holy Communion, confession, and marriage until repentance occurs.