(OSV News) ─ Pope Leo XIV has urged the head of the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X to halt the unauthorized consecration of new bishops, warning that the move would cause a formal schism and deprive followers of lawful sacraments.
"In this spirit, and filled with Christian affection, I plead with you and ask you with all my heart: please turn back!" the pope said in a letter addressed to Father Davide Pagliarani, superior general of the society, commonly known as the SSPX. The Vatican published the letter June 30.
"I urge you to consider carefully the spiritual good of the faithful, because the schismatic act you are about to undertake would deprive them of the licit and, in some cases, even valid reception of the Sacraments, which they love and seek for their sanctification," Pope Leo wrote.
In February, Father Pagliarani announced the society would proceed with the consecration of new bishops July 1, following a breakdown in communication with the Vatican after requests for an audience with the pope went unanswered.
Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, offered to continue dialogue with the SSPX on the condition that the society suspend its decision to consecrate new bishops.
After the SSPX chose not to accept, Cardinal Fernández said the consecration of bishops without a papal mandate would be considered "a schismatic act" and would incur excommunication.
In a June 24 open letter that included a 28-page "Profession of Faith,”, the SSPX justified its decision to proceed with the consecrations, arguing that it was not following its own path but that of the "two-thousand-year Tradition of the Church."
Pope Leo told journalists outside Castel Gandolfo June 17 that he was "considering making another appeal to say: 'Do not do this, let us try to live in communion within the Church.'" He added that the decision to proceed "is their choice."
In his letter to Father Pagliarani, which was signed on the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, June 29, the pope said the church recognized the society's "devotion to liturgical life, commitment to priestly formation, apostolic zeal and desire for fidelity to Tradition."
Those qualities, he noted, had "motivated the attentive and generous attitude that my predecessors have consistently shown to you."
In 1988, St. John Paul II excommunicated the society’s founder, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre (1905-1991), and four bishops consecrated without papal mandate. Nevertheless, for decades, the Vatican had sought ways to fully reintegrate SSPX members into the life of the Catholic Church.
Talks between the Vatican and the society began under St. John Paul and continued during the pontificates of Popes Benedict XVI and Francis.
Pope Benedict lifted the excommunications of the four bishops in 2009, opening the way for more regular talks.
During the 2015-2016 Year of Mercy, Pope Francis made special provisions to validate the absolution offered by SSPX priests through the sacrament of confession. After the Holy Year ended, he extended that provision "lest anyone ever be deprived of the sacramental sign of reconciliation through the church’s pardon."
In April 2017, the late pontiff continued pursuing initiatives aimed at a reconciliation with the SSPX by allowing their bishops to ensure the validity of marriages celebrated in the traditionalist communities.
Urging the traditionalist society not to proceed with the consecrations, Pope Leo said the church was still "open to a path of dialogue and understanding that the Holy Spirit can make possible and fruitful."
Nevertheless, the pope urged them not to move forward with the schismatic act "because to tear the seamless garment of Christ is a sin of extreme gravity."
"With a sorrowful yet hopeful heart, I feel it is my duty, through the authority received from Christ, to ask you to desist from your intended act. I entrust these intentions to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Good Counsel," he wrote.
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Junno Arocho Esteves is an international correspondent for OSV News. Follow him on X @jae_journalist.
