https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/25/pope-leo-far-right-bishops
"A far-right Catholic sect’s plan to ordain its own bishops on the first day of
July has placed it on a collision course with the Vatican – posing a possible
crisis for Pope Leo a little over a year into his papacy, and straining the
Roman Catholic church’s already fraught relationship with rightwing and
traditionalist Catholics in the US and elsewhere.
Founded in Switzerland in 1970 to oppose liberalizing reforms in the Catholic
church, the Society of St Pius X (SSPX) has gained significant followings in
the US, France, Argentina and other countries. The order, which has a large
base of operations in Kansas, claims that more than half a million people
worldwide attend its masses, though these numbers are difficult to verify. It
counts nearly 1,500 priests, seminarians and other vocational members among its
members.
Pope Leo told journalists in Rome last week that he was “considering making
another appeal to say: ‘Do not do this, let us try to live in communion within
the church.’” But it was the SSPX’s “choice”, he said, whether to continue on a
trajectory that threatens schism.
“If they make that choice,” Leo added, “I am sorry, but we must move forward.”
Under Catholic canon law, ordaining bishops without the Vatican’s authorization
is grounds for immediate excommunication. So far, both sides in the game of
brinkmanship are refusing to blink. The
Guardian contacted the Holy See and
the SSPX for comment but neither responded."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
