All articles tagged with #vatican ii
Ultratraditionalists of the Society of St. Pius X, founded in opposition to Vatican II reforms, reinforce their break with the Vatican with a high-profile consecration outside the SSPX seminary in Ecône, Switzerland, signaling a continued rupture over the church’s post-conciliar direction.
The Vatican formally declared the Society of St Pius X in schism after its leaders consecrated four bishops without papal approval, triggering automatic excommunications and restricting their participation in sacraments; the move highlights decades of tension over Vatican II reforms and the SSPX's commitment to traditional practice, following earlier excommunications lifted in 2009 without full reconciliation.
Pope Leo XIV said the traditionalist SSPX’s plan to consecrate new bishops without papal mandate would be a schismatic act and, while he is considering another appeal to keep them in communion, the decision to proceed rests with the SSPX; Vatican officials warned that without papal authorization the ordinations would breach Church law. The pope also voiced guarded optimism about a US-Iran accord meant to end the war and support reconstruction, and discussed his Spain visit, summer plans, and potential future trips to France, Peru and Mexico.
Pope Leo XIV warned that the Society of St. Pius X’s plan to ordain four bishops without papal permission could deepen division within the Church and urged them to remain in communion with Rome; the Vatican had warned such consecrations would be a schismatic act and could incur excommunication, as SSPX maintains its Traditional Latin Mass and questions Vatican II reforms.
During a General Audience, Pope Leo XIV urged renewing the Church’s liturgy in continuity with authentic tradition, stressing that Sacrosanctum Concilium allows development within immutable elements. He tied liturgical renewal to evangelization and ecclesial communion, highlighting the Liturgical Movement and the need for reforms to be organic, historically informed, and conducive to active participation in the Paschal Mystery.
The Vatican says the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X’s plan to ordain new bishops without papal approval would be a schismatic act and carry automatic excommunication, as Rome refuses to recognize these ordinations; while Cardinal Fernández urged dialogue, the Church maintains ultimate authority and has a long-standing tension over Vatican II reforms and the group’s status.
The article celebrates John Henry Newman's recent designation as a Doctor of the Church, highlighting his theological contributions and his historical opposition to ultramontanism, while warning against the resurgence of a new, progressive ultramontanism that threatens Church unity today.