Vatican declares breakaway traditionalist group in formal schism

The Vatican has declared the ultratraditionalist Society of Saint Pius X, or SSPX, in formal schism after the group consecrated four new bishops without Pope Leo XIV’s approval. The decision also says priests and lay Catholics who formally adhere to the society are considered cut off from the Roman Catholic Church. The move affects a group that has long existed in an uneasy position: outside full communion with Rome, but often tolerated in practice. The SSPX says it has communities in dozens of countries, and the latest consecration ceremony in Écône, Switzerland, drew thousands of supporters. Church observers say the ruling could be difficult to enforce because local bishops will be responsible for handling cases involving people who attend SSPX services and later seek sacraments in regular parishes. The Vatican also issued a statement inviting people in the group to return to full communion, suggesting the door remains open even as Rome takes a harder line.