In Écône, Switzerland, a ceremony saw the ordination of four bishops by the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX), despite a last-minute appeal from Pope Leo XIV to halt the event. The SSPX, which rejects several Vatican reforms from the 1960s and 1970s, proceeded with the ordination, drawing thousands of attendees and live-streaming the event in multiple languages.
The Pope has labeled the ordination a 'schismatic act' and is expected to exclude the new bishops from the Catholic Church, echoing a historical precedent from 1988 when previous SSPX ordinations led to excommunication. This ongoing rift highlights tensions within the Church regarding traditional practices versus modern reforms.
The SSPX's defiance raises questions about the future of traditionalist movements within the Church. Observers should monitor potential responses from Pope Leo XIV, especially regarding disciplinary actions, and the impact on SSPX's global following and financial support.