Vatican excommunicates hundreds of thousands of followers of global Catholic sect

The Vatican has officially excommunicated six bishops of the traditionalist Catholic group, the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX), following their unauthorized consecration of four new bishops on July 1, 2026, in Écône, Switzerland. This move, which defied a direct plea from Pope Leo XIV, is considered a "schismatic act" – a formal break from the unity and authority of the Catholic Church.

The decree from the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith also extends the excommunication to priests and lay members who formally adhere to the SSPX, a group with an estimated 400,000 to 600,000 followers globally. This action invalidates sacraments such as marriage and confession administered by SSPX priests, presenting a significant challenge for its adherents.

The SSPX, founded in 1970, has long opposed the modernizing reforms introduced by the Second Vatican Council, particularly regarding liturgical practices and interreligious dialogue. Despite previous attempts at reconciliation, the latest consecrations mark a severe escalation in the long-standing dispute between the Vatican and the traditionalist sect.