Pope Leo XIV has warned a breakaway traditionalist Catholic group against proceeding with plans to consecrate four new bishops without papal approval, describing the move as a schismatic act that would attract automatic excommunication under Church law.
In a letter addressed to the Superior General of the Society of St. Pius X, the Rev. Davide Pagliarani, the Pope made a heartfelt appeal for the group to abandon the planned consecrations scheduled at the society's seminary in Écône.
"I plead with you and ask you with all my heart: please turn back," the Pope wrote, warning that proceeding with the ordinations would constitute a grave violation of Church law and deepen divisions within the Catholic Church.
According to the Vatican, any bishop who carries out or receives episcopal consecration without the Pope's authorization automatically incurs excommunication. Church authorities have warned that the same penalty would apply to the four bishops-elect and the bishop administering the consecration if the ceremony goes ahead.
The Society of St. Pius X was founded in opposition to the reforms introduced by the Second Vatican Council, including the celebration of Mass in local languages instead of Latin and greater engagement between the Catholic Church and other faiths.
The dispute dates back to 1988 when the society's founder, Marcel Lefebvre, consecrated four bishops without papal approval. The Vatican subsequently excommunicated Lefebvre and the four bishops, while the society has since operated without canonical status within the Catholic Church.
In his letter, Pope Leo reiterated the Vatican's willingness to continue dialogue with the traditionalist group, stressing that the planned consecrations would ultimately harm the spiritual welfare of its followers.
He warned that participation in the schismatic act could deprive the faithful of the lawful, and in some instances valid, reception of the sacraments, urging the society's leadership to reconsider its decision.
Despite decades of estrangement from the Vatican, the Society of St. Pius X has continued to expand globally, with hundreds of priests, seminarians and religious members serving in dozens of countries, making it one of the largest traditionalist Catholic movements outside the Church's formal structures.
