Pope Leo XIV has urgently appealed to the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) to cancel planned episcopal ordinations scheduled for Wednesday, warning that proceeding without his consent would be a new act of schism. In a letter released by the Vatican on Tuesday, the pontiff expressed deep sorrow and implored the Lefebvrist community to turn back from what he called a path that would sever communion with the Catholic Church.
The letter, addressed to Father Davide Pagliarani, the SSPX superior general, comes as the traditionalist group prepares to consecrate new bishops without papal mandate, a move that would repeat the 1988 unauthorized ordinations by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre that led to the excommunication of the four bishops involved. Pope Leo XIV acknowledged the group’s positive aspects—its attachment to liturgical life, commitment to priestly formation, and apostolic zeal—but stressed that unity with the Successor of Peter is non-negotiable.
„With paternal care I wish to address you, and through you the bishops, priests, seminarians, and faithful associated with the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X, aware of the responsibility that the Lord has entrusted to me as the Successor of the Apostle Peter,” the Pope wrote. He noted that his predecessors had consistently shown goodwill toward the SSPX, hoping for reconciliation.
A direct and emotional appeal
„I call upon you and beg you with all my heart: turn back from this path!” the Pope pleaded. „I urge you to consider with all seriousness the spiritual good of the faithful, because the act of schism you would commit would deprive them of the possibility of validly, and in some cases even licitly, receiving the sacraments they love and seek for their sanctification.”
Pope Leo XIV described the planned ordination as „a very grave sin” that would tear the seamless tunic of Christ. He assured the SSPX that the Church remains open to dialogue and understanding, but emphasized that the unilateral action would be a rupture. „Rending the seamless tunic of Christ is an extremely grave sin,” he declared.
The shadow of 1988 and path forward
The SSPX has been in a canonical irregularity since the 1988 consecrations, which led to automatic excommunication (later lifted by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009 in an effort toward reconciliation). However, the group continues to operate outside full communion, rejecting key reforms of the Second Vatican Council such as religious liberty and ecumenism. The current planned ordinations threaten to deepen the rift.
In his letter, the Pope prayed for the SSPX leadership: „May the Lord illuminate your consciences and awaken your hearts. With the authority received from Christ, with a heart full of pain but still full of hope, I feel compelled to ask you to desist from your intention.” The Vatican has not indicated any immediate canonical penalties, but the warning of schism carries the risk of excommunication latae sententiae for those who participate in the ordination.
As of Tuesday evening, the SSPX had not publicly responded. The ordination ceremony is expected to proceed on Wednesday unless the group heeds the Pope’s call. This confrontation is one of the most serious tests of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate, as he seeks to uphold Church unity while respecting traditionalist sensibilities.
Źródło: Polsat News, Fot. Polsat News
