Catholic society slams 'unjust' excommunication of bishops

A breakaway Catholic society which defied the Vatican by consecrating new bishops said their excommunication by the Holy See was "unjust and invalid".

The ultra-traditionalist Society of Saint Pius X consecrated four new bishops on Wednesday in defiance of Pope Leo XIV, who had pleaded with them to turn back from what he called a "schismatic act".

The SSPX, which has around 600,000 followers, comprises fundamentalist Catholics who strongly oppose the liberal reforms imposed by the Vatican II Council in the 1960s.

On Thursday, the Vatican duly excommunicated all six bishops of the society and warned that any lay believers who "formally adhere" to the SSPX would suffer the same fate.

The consecrations were "an extraordinary initiative for the salvation of souls, amidst the doctrinal and moral confusion into which the Church is plunged," said its Superior General Davide Pagliarani, in an open letter addressed to Pope Leo.

"We in no way claim to substitute ourselves for the Church, and we have no ambition other than to remain faithful."

The society "will not receive these new sanctions -- objectively unjust and invalid -- with bitterness or revolt", the Italian priest said.

"These recent condemnations, like those of the past, strike at what we hold most dear: our attachment to our mother, the Roman Church."

At a ceremony in Econe in southwest Switzerland on Wednesday, attended by thousands of worshippers from around the world, the last two remaining bishops of the SSPX consecrated four new ones.

Founded in 1970 by the controversial French bishop Marcel Lefebvre, the group triggered a rift with the Vatican by consecrating four bishops in 1988.

They were immediately excommunicated, but the sanction was lifted in 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI.

The society says it is present in more than 75 countries across six continents, with more than 750 priests.

For the Holy See, consecrating bishops without the approval of the pope is a direct act of insubordination, leading to the automatic excommunication of the bishops involved.

"We are certain that one day you yourself, or one of your successors, will wish to adopt the programme of Saint Pius X," said Pagliarani.

"In the meantime, if you are able, despite your recent decision, bless us as your sons. For us, nothing has changed, and nothing ever will change."

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© Agence France-Presse