Vatican declares Society of St. Pius X bishops and priests excommunicated

The Vatican declared bishops and priests of the Society of St. Pius X excommunicated after the group consecrated new bishops without papal consent two weeks ago. The decree, issued July 2 by the Vatican's doctrine office, states that Catholics should stop attending the society's worship services and that some sacraments administered by its priests are invalid.

The society, which has about 750 priests, has appealed the ruling.

Background on the Society The Society of St.

Pius X was founded in opposition to reforms adopted at the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s. The group considers those reforms to contain errors and has continued to celebrate Mass in Latin. The consecrations created a crisis for Pope Leo XIV, who has sought to engage with conservative and traditionalist Catholics.

Reactions from society members Some society members say they will continue attending its churches. A U.S. district spokesperson for the society said it is too early to assess the decree's impact and that Masses and other activities have not stopped.

A member whose family helped establish the society in North Carolina said his local church purchased land for a new campus the week after the excommunications. He reported a small drop in attendance at his parish, which draws several hundred people on Sundays.

Warnings from aligned bishops Several U.S. bishops have echoed the Vatican's warning and urged Catholics to switch to churches aligned with Rome. One archbishop wrote that remaining with the society would mean sharing in a separation from the pope. A priest at one society church told worshippers during the first Sunday Mass after the decree that there was no need to change course, while acknowledging that family and friends might view their decision negatively.