The Vatican has declared that the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) is in a state of schism following the unauthorized ordination of four bishops without the approval of Pope Leo XIV.
In a declaration issued on July 2, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith stated that the episcopal consecrations constituted a canonical act of schism, resulting in the automatic excommunication of SSPX bishops Alfonso de Galarreta of Spain and Bernard Fellay of Switzerland.
Vatican Says Consecrations Violated Canon Law
According to the Holy See, the ordinations were carried out without the required papal mandate, a violation of Church law that carries the penalty of latae sententiae (automatic) excommunication.
The dicastery concluded that the actions formally placed the SSPX in a state of schism, marking a significant development in the long-running relationship between the traditionalist group and the Vatican.
Second Excommunication for Both Bishops
The latest ruling makes de Galarreta and Fellay unusual figures in modern Catholic history, as both men have now been excommunicated twice.
Their first excommunications occurred in 1988 when Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, founder of the Society of St. Pius X, consecrated them as bishops without the consent of Pope St. John Paul II.
The Vatican at the time declared the consecrations schismatic, resulting in automatic excommunications for Lefebvre and the newly ordained bishops.
Benedict XVI Lifted Earlier Penalties
More than two decades later, Pope Benedict XVI removed the excommunications in 2009 as part of efforts to improve relations between the Vatican and the SSPX.
Although the penalties were lifted, Benedict XVI emphasized that the bishops’ canonical status remained unresolved and that their ministry continued to lack legitimate ecclesiastical authority within the Catholic Church.
The move was widely viewed as an attempt to encourage dialogue rather than a full reconciliation between the two sides.
Bernard Fellay Played Key Role in Vatican Dialogue
Bernard Fellay entered the SSPX seminary in Écône, Switzerland, in 1977 before being ordained a priest in 1982.
After serving as the society’s bursar general, he was elected Superior General in 1994, leading the organization for nearly two decades.
During his leadership, discussions with the Vatican intensified, ultimately contributing to Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to lift the earlier excommunications in 2009, despite continuing disagreements over doctrine and Church governance.
Alfonso de Galarreta Held Senior Leadership Positions
Alfonso de Galarreta was born in Torrelavega, Spain, before relocating with his family to Argentina.
He initially entered the seminary in La Plata but later transferred to the SSPX seminary in Écône after rejecting reforms introduced following the Second Vatican Council.
Ordained a priest by Archbishop Lefebvre in Buenos Aires in 1980, de Galarreta later served as superior of the SSPX’s South American district, headed the society’s Autonomous House in Spain, and directed the Our Lady Co-Redemptrix Seminary in La Reja, Argentina.
In 2018, following the election of Father Davide Pagliarani as Superior General, he became the society’s First Assistant General.
New Vatican Decision Marks Fresh Chapter in Longstanding Dispute
The Vatican’s latest declaration signals a renewed escalation in its decades-long dispute with the Society of St. Pius X over ecclesiastical authority and adherence to canon law.
By confirming that the recent episcopal consecrations constituted an act of schism, Church authorities have reaffirmed that papal approval remains an essential requirement for the lawful ordination of bishops within the Catholic Church.
Vatican Declares Society of St. Pius X in Schism After Unauthorized Bishop Ordinations Under Pope Leo XIV
