Vatican Warns Society of St. Pius X Against Unauthorized Bishop Ordination
Vatican Issues Excommunication Warning Over Planned Bishop Ordination
By Joshua McElwee
Background of the Warning
VATICAN CITY, May 13 (Reuters) - The Vatican on Wednesday urged a breakaway Catholic group dedicated to the old Latin mass to cancel plans to ordain new bishops without consent from Pope Leo, warning the action would incur excommunication from the 1.4-billion-member Church.
In the first known threat of the Church's most severe penalty during Leo's papacy, the Vatican's doctrinal office told the Swiss-based Society of St. Pius X any ordination of bishops would create a "schism", or formal rupture with the pope.
Cardinal Fernandez's Statement
The planned ordination ceremony would mark "a grave offence against God and entail the excommunication established by the Church," Cardinal Victor Fernandez, head of the office, said in a statement.
About the Society of St. Pius X
The Society of St. Pius X is an ultra-traditionalist group that denies the key teachings of the Second Vatican Council, a landmark Vatican gathering of bishops in the 1960s that pursued a range of reforms for the global Church.
Rejection of Vatican II Reforms
The Council also allowed for the Mass, until then said only in Latin, to be celebrated in local languages. The society rejected that change, citing a desire for the Latin rite's sense of mystery and formality.
Implications of Excommunication
Excommunicated persons are considered completely separated from the Church. They are unable to receive sacraments or hold Church office until they repent. If they die while excommunicated, they are unable to receive Catholic burial.
History of Tensions Between Vatican and the Society
The Society of St. Pius X, which says it counts 733 priests worldwide, has had tense relations with the Vatican for decades.
Archbishop Lefebvre's 1988 Excommunication
Its late founder, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, was excommunicated in 1988 after ordaining four bishops without permission from then-Pope John Paul II.
Benedict XVI's Efforts at Reconciliation
Benedict XVI, John Paul's successor, sought to renew dialogue with the society and lifted four remaining excommunications.
Recent Developments
The current leadership announced in February that it planned to ordain new bishops, without Vatican approval, in July, citing a need for more prelates to lead the society.
Church Law on Bishop Ordination
It is a strict teaching of the Church that only the pope can authorize the consecration of new bishops, in order to maintain the Church's ties to Jesus' 12 apostles, who are considered the first priests and bishops.
Consequences of Unauthorized Consecration
Consecration without papal consent incurs automatic excommunication for both the person being consecrated and the bishop conducting the ceremony.
(Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Crispian Balmer, Alexandra Hudson)
