Catholic Church excommunicates 6 bishops from ultra-conservative society
The Vatican says bishops from the ultra-conservative Catholic SSPX society were automatically excommunicated after ignoring Pope Leo's plea for unity.
Updated on: July 2, 2026 / 9:26 AM EDT / CBS News
Rome — The Vatican announced Thursday that six bishops associated with the ultra-conservative Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) have been excommunicated following the unauthorized consecration of four new bishops the previous day in Écône, Switzerland.
The consecrations were carried out without the approval of Pope Leo XIV. Under Catholic canon law, only the pope can authorize the consecration of new bishops.
The Vatican said the two consecrating bishops and the four newly ordained bishops — including one American — had incurred "latae sententiae" (automatic) excommunication. The Church further declared that the consecrations constituted a "schismatic act," representing a formal break in ecclesial communion.
Excommunication is one of the most serious penalties that can be imposed by the Catholic Church's leadership. It bars a Catholic from receiving any church sacraments such as baptism, communion or marriage.
Going even further, the Vatican warned members of the SSPX that those who knowingly and formally align themselves with the society place themselves outside full communion with the Church.