Was the SSPX excommunicated for ‘fidelity’? What the 2026 documents give as the grounds

On 13 May the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith stated that the announced ordinations lacked ‘the corresponding pontifical mandate’ and would constitute a schismatic act (Vatican News). The decree of 2 July gives the ground in its first sentence: notwithstanding the warnings addressed to the Society’s Superior General, Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta, having committed an act of a schismatic nature by the episcopal consecration of four priests without pontifical mandate and against the will of the Supreme Pontiff, incurred the penalties of canon 1387 (consecrating a bishop without pontifical mandate) and canon 1364 §1 (schism). The decree declares him and the four new bishops excommunicated, and declares Bishop Bernard Fellay, the co-consecrator, excommunicated under canon 1364 §1 for having thereby publicly adhered to the schismatic act (Holy See Press Office; Rorate Cæli translation; Code of Canon Law, Book VI; The Pillar). The explanatory note published with it says the consecrations were celebrated ‘without pontifical mandate, against the will of the Holy Father, and in open violation of canon law’, and, quoting John Paul II, describes such disobedience as implying ‘in practice the rejection of the Roman primacy’ (Vatican News; Ecclesia Dei, 3). The note also places the act in a longer history, saying that attempts since the time of Saint Paul VI to bring the movement’s members back into full communion had proved vain and that the consecrations further aggravated that situation. Neither text names the celebration of the traditional liturgy, or attachment to tradition as such, as the offence. The consequences do reach beyond the six bishops: the decree closes by warning clerics and lay faithful not to adhere to the Society’s schism, on pain of excommunication, and the note states that the Society’s sacred ministers are in schism and subject to excommunication, and that lay faithful who formally adhere to the Society are to be considered schismatics and excommunicated (Vatican News; CathNews; Catholic World Report).

Pope Leo XIV’s letter of 29 June was addressed to Fr. Davide Pagliarani and, through him, to the bishops, priests, seminarians and faithful connected to the Society. It says that the Church recognises ‘the devotion to liturgical life, commitment to priestly formation, apostolic zeal and desire for fidelity to Tradition’ that characterise many people and communities connected to the Society, and then pleads: ‘please turn back!’ (vatican.va). What it asks is that the Society desist from ‘your intended act’. The letter calls the planned consecrations a schismatic act that would deprive the faithful of the licit and, in some cases, even valid reception of the sacraments, and says that to tear the seamless garment of Christ is a sin of extreme gravity, the image Vatican News used in its headline (Vatican News; National Catholic Register; Diane Montagna).

The texts the Holy See published around the consecrations repeatedly express a wish for reconciliation. Pope Leo’s letter said that ‘the Church is open to a path of dialogue and understanding’ (vatican.va). The explanatory note published with the decree states that the Church ‘will welcome with sincere affection and lively solicitude all those who wish to return to full communion’, and says the Apostolic Nuncios will arrange the procedures that Ordinaries may use in the various cases. The same note also tells all the faithful to remain steadfast in communion with the Roman Pontiff and to refrain from taking part in celebrations and activities promoted by the Society (Vatican News; Holy See Press Office; Rorate Cæli translation). The Dicastery also sent bishops guidelines for the return of SSPX clergy and laity to communion (CathNews). On the day of the consecrations, Cardinal Fernández told The Catholic Herald that he was confident dialogue with the Society would be possible in future, though it would need time (The Catholic Herald).