The Vatican has declared the Society of St. Pius X in schism and excommunicated four bishops after unauthorized consecrations at the society's Écône seminary.The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith issued the decree and said sanctions apply to priests who participated, warning that enforcement will rely on local bishops and complicate pastoral practice where faithful use SSPX chapels.Rev. Davide Pagliarani defended the consecrations as an extraordinary initiative to save souls and the society named Pascal Schreiber, Michael Goldade, Michel Poinsinet de Sivry and Marc Hanappier as the new bishops.The decree invites priests and followers to return to full communion, cites a 1996 note on individual intention, and signals a firmer stance from
Pope Leo XIV than past popes who at times sought accommodation.