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Pius Brotherhood Bishops Excommunicated After Unsanctioned Consecrations
🇦🇹 Austria /Culture & Society

Pius Brotherhood Bishops Excommunicated After Unsanctioned Consecrations

From Die Presse · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Outcome reported
  • The Vatican has confirmed the excommunication of four bishops from the traditionalist Pius Brotherhood.
  • The bishops were consecrated in Switzerland despite an explicit prohibition from the Pope.
  • The Pius Brotherhood rejects reforms from the Second Vatican Council, including those on religious freedom and ecumenism.

The Vatican has officially confirmed the excommunication of four bishops from the traditionalist Pius Brotherhood, following their consecration in Switzerland. This act, carried out against the explicit prohibition of Pope Leo XIV, automatically results in their exclusion from the Catholic Church according to canon law.

The consecrations took place on Wednesday, with the involved parties including the two consecrating bishops, Alfonso de Galarreta and Bernard Fellay, and the four newly consecrated bishops: Pascal Schreiber, Michael Goldade, Michel Poinsinet de Sivry, and Marc Hanappier. The Vatican's confirmation came in a statement on Thursday.

The Roman institutions are animated by a spirit that is contrary to the true tradition of the Church.

— Davide PagliaraniThe superior general of the Pius Brotherhood explained the group's rationale for proceeding with the consecrations.

The Pius Brotherhood adheres to a strict interpretation of tradition and rejects reforms introduced by the Second Vatican Council, particularly concerning religious freedom, ecumenism, and liturgical practices. The Pope had earnestly implored the conservative group to cancel the ordinations in a prior letter. However, the brotherhood's superior general, Davide Pagliarani, declared in Écone, Switzerland, that Roman institutions are animated by a spirit contrary to the "true tradition of the Church."

Pagliarani stated that the brotherhood felt obligated to consecrate bishops "in the true spirit." This unauthorized consecration is considered a severe offense under Catholic canon law, akin to an act of schism, as only bishops can ordain new priests, thereby ensuring the clergy's continuity. The Pius Brotherhood has over 700 priests worldwide, primarily in North America and France. This is not the first instance of such a schism; in 1988, the group's founder, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, and four bishops were excommunicated for unauthorized consecrations. While Pope Benedict XVI lifted that penalty in 2009, a theological reconciliation was never achieved.

We see ourselves obligated to consecrate bishops in the true spirit.

— Davide PagliaraniDavide Pagliarani articulated the Pius Brotherhood's perceived duty.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Presse in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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