Pope Leo XIV has issued a direct and deeply personal appeal to the leadership of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X (SSPX), urging the Society to abandon plans to consecrate four new bishops without papal approval on July 1 in Écône, Switzerland.
According to Vatican News, the Pope’s letter was dated June 29, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, and was addressed to SSPX Superior General Father Davide Pagliarani just two days before the planned episcopal consecrations.
The Holy Father acknowledged the sincere faith found within many members of the Society while warning that proceeding with the consecrations would deepen the division between the SSPX and the Catholic Church.
“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,” Pope Leo wrote. He continued by recognizing “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.”
Despite that acknowledgment, the Pope made an unmistakable appeal for the Society to reverse course.
“In this spirit, and filled with Christian affection, I plead with you and ask you with all my heart: please turn back!” he wrote, according to Vatican News.
Pope Leo warned that carrying out episcopal consecrations without a pontifical mandate would have serious consequences for the faithful who attend SSPX chapels.
“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 Pope wrote, according to Vatican News.
Vatican News noted that the Pope’s principal concern was the spiritual welfare of the faithful attached to the Society, explaining that such a schismatic act would affect the lawful celebration of the sacraments and could render certain sacraments—specifically Confession and Marriage—invalid in some circumstances.
Even while issuing the warning, Pope Leo emphasized that reconciliation remains possible.
“The Church is open to a path of dialogue and understanding that the Holy Spirit can make possible and fruitful,” he wrote.
The Pope concluded his letter with an appeal for unity within the Church.
“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.”
According to LifeSiteNews, the SSPX has maintained that it believes the Church is experiencing a “state of necessity” and therefore considers it necessary to preserve the Catholic faith and administer the sacraments even without the permission of local bishops.
LifeSiteNews also reported that the Society sought Vatican approval to consecrate additional bishops because only two of its bishops remain alive, both 68 years old. The Vatican, however, declined to grant permission.
The current dispute echoes the events of 1988, when Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre consecrated four bishops without papal approval after unsuccessful negotiations with Pope Saint John Paul II. According to LifeSiteNews, the Vatican declared the following day that Archbishop Lefebvre, his co-consecrator Bishop Antônio de Castro Mayer, and the newly consecrated bishops had incurred excommunication.
As the scheduled consecrations approach, Pope Leo XIV’s letter represents his clearest and most urgent public effort to prevent another rupture, appealing not only to the Society’s leaders but also to the priests, seminarians, and faithful connected with the SSPX to preserve unity within the Church while remaining open to continued dialogue.
Your support brings the truth to the world.
Catholic Online News exists because of donors like you. We are 100% funded by people who believe the world deserves real, uncensored news rooted in faith and truth — not corporate agendas. Your gift ensures millions can continue to access the news they can trust — stories that defend life, faith, family, and freedom.
When truth is silenced, your support speaks louder.
