Traditionalist Catholic group appeals Vatican excommunications

An ultra-traditionalist Catholic group has lodged an appeal with the Vatican, challenging the excommunication of its six bishops. The Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) defied Pope Leo XIV by consecrating four new bishops on July 1, 2026, an act the Vatican immediately condemned as "schismatic."

“

schismatic act

Following the consecrations in Econe, Switzerland, the SSPX's new bishops, along with the two who consecrated them, were excommunicated by the Church's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. In response, the society submitted a "preliminary recourse" to the same dicastery, asserting that the request "has the effect of suspending the execution of the decree."

“

a preliminary recourse to the same dicastery

The SSPX stated its intention to exercise the Church-recognized right to seek correction of an administrative act, emphasizing a spirit of respect for ecclesiastical authority and attachment to justice, truth, and the good of the Church. Consecrating bishops without papal approval is considered an act of insubordination by the Holy See, leading to automatic excommunication for the bishops involved. The Vatican also warned that lay faithful adhering to the group would be regarded as schismatics, and sacraments performed by the new bishops would be invalid.

“

has the effect of suspending the execution of the decree

The SSPX, founded in 1970 by Marcel Lefebvre, comprises fundamentalist Catholics who reject the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. The group previously caused a rift in 1988 by consecrating four bishops, leading to their excommunication, which was later lifted in 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI. The society claims a global following of around 600,000 adherents with over 750 priests in more than 75 countries.

“

By this recourse, the Society intends to exercise the right which the Church recognises to any person who considers himself harmed by an administrative act to seek its correction, in a spirit of respect for ecclesiastical authority and of faithful attachment to justice, truth and the good of the Church.