Most priests on the SSPX’s new list joined before the excommunications, not after
LifeSiteNews says the excommunications have “backfired”, with the SSPX listing priests who “just joined” it. The Society’s list mostly shows priests who joined earlier or are drawing closer. Only two of its dated cases come after the July decree.
By TradWatch™ staff
2 min read
Verdicts at a glance
- Needs context
The excommunications have backfired: the SSPX has listed several priests who have just joined it. · LifeSiteNews
In this brief · 7 sections
On 9 October 2026 the French-language account of FSSPX.News posted a list of diocesan and religious priests who, it said, continue “to turn toward Tradition” since the Society’s July consecrations. LifeSiteNews reported the post the same day under a headline presenting it as evidence that the excommunications had backfired. The article reproduces the post in full, so the headline can be checked against it.
What was said
Statement 1: LifeSiteNews
LifeSiteNews · October 9, 2026
Leo XIV’s excommunication backfires: SSPX lists multiple priests who just joined them
In brief: The excommunications have backfired: the SSPX has listed several priests who have just joined it.
Our verdict: Needs contextThe words are accurate, but missing context changes how they read.
See the record for statement 1This content is embedded for purposes of commentary, criticism, and news reporting. TradWatch is not affiliated with LifeSiteNews. Views quoted are those of the speaker.
Context
On statement 1 · LifeSiteNews
This is the headline. The article’s first paragraphs describe the post as naming priests who joined the SSPX after the excommunications, “or had joined earlier but remained in the Society”.
The record
What the sources show, statement by statement.
Verifiable factcan be checked against the sources cited.TradWatch analysisis our interpretation, clearly labelled.Statement 1 · LifeSiteNews
The excommunications have backfired: the SSPX has listed several priests who have just joined it.
Verifiable fact What the list says, case by case
As reproduced by LifeSiteNews, the post names one priest in the United States whose diocese withdrew his faculties on 2 October over activity “associated with and supporting the SSPX”. It names another who, a few days earlier, faced a canonical procedure after confirming his affiliation. A third joined “last year”. In Poland, one priest began his probation on 29 June, two days before the consecrations, and five more are named without dates. A priest in Brazil, suspended in February, “has drawn closer to the SSPX”, and a priest in Ireland “continues his ministry” with the Society. For Italy and Austria the post counts associated and “friendly” priests rather than new members. It closes by saying that priests continue “to draw closer to the Fraternity or to join it” (LifeSiteNews).
Source
- 1
Journalism
Leo XIV’s excommunication backfires: SSPX lists multiple priests who just joined them
LifeSiteNews · October 9, 2026
- 1
TradWatch analysis Real movement, but not a measure of “backfiring”
The post documents priests continuing to move toward the SSPX despite the penalties, which is newsworthy. But of the cases it dates, only the two US cases fall after the 2 July decree. The others predate it, are undated, or describe association rather than membership. The article’s own text says so: some “had joined earlier”. Nor does the list say how many priests or faithful have left since July, so it cannot show the net effect of the excommunications. “Just joined” overstates the list, and “backfires” is the outlet’s judgment rather than a finding.
Source
- 1
Journalism
Leo XIV’s excommunication backfires: SSPX lists multiple priests who just joined them
LifeSiteNews · October 9, 2026
- 1
Bottom line
The SSPX did post a list of priests drawing closer to it, and two of the named cases followed the July decree. Most of the others joined earlier, are undated, or are associates rather than members. The headline’s “just joined” overstates what the list shows, and “backfires” is a judgment the list alone cannot support.
The original
Sources
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