Pope Leo says he may contact SSPX again in hopes of averting rift over illicit ordinations

Pope Leo XIV said during comments to journalists outside the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo June 16 that he may contact the leadership of the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) once more in an effort to prevail upon them not to go forward with their planned episcopal ordinations without his permission – a move the Vatican has warned would constitute a schismatic act and carry canonical penalties, including excommunication.

“I am considering making another appeal and saying ‘don't do this, let's try to live the communion of the Church,’” he said, according to a translation provided on X by Catholic journalist Michael Haynes. “But it is their choice.”

As Zeale News reported, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF), issued a statement in May notifying the SSPX that the ordinations, slated to take place July 1, “will constitute ‘a schismatic act.’” 

The ordinations “do not have the requisite papal mandate,” Cardinal Fernández explained, “and ‘formal adherence to the schism constitutes a grave offence against God and entails the excommunication established under Church law.’”

Zeale News later reported that SSPX Superior General Father Davide Pagliarani responded with a letter addressed to the Pope that did not submit to the Vatican’s decision and instead made a case for the Society to be considered in good standing with the universal Church.

“Most Holy Father, for more than fifty years, the Society of Saint Pius X has endeavoured to set before the Holy See a matter of conscience in the face of the errors that are destroying Catholic faith and morals,” Fr. Pagliarani wrote in part. “Regrettably, all the discussions entered into have remained without result, and none of the concerns expressed have received any truly satisfactory response.”

The Society’s statement included a “Declaration of Catholic Faith” that the superior general said demonstrated the SSPX should be considered “in communion with the Church” with the right “to truly call ourselves Catholics and, consequently, your sons.”

The statement did not directly address the ordinations, however. 

Addressing that unresolved sticking point, Pope Leo said June 16, “We must realize what it means for them and for the Church. Certainly, the division among Christians is a painful point.” 

“However, they refuse to accept some fundamental elements of the Church, starting with several points of the Second Vatican Council,” the Holy Father added. 

“If they make that choice,” he said, “I am sorry, but we must move forward.”