The Society of Saint Pius “We in no way claim to replace the Church and we have no other ambition than to remain faithful to it,” assured Italian Abbot Davide Pagliarani, Superior General of the Fraternity in a letter addressed to Leo XIV and published on his website.
On Thursday, the Vatican confirmed the excommunication of six bishops of the Society of Saint Pius
“I beg you from the bottom of my heart: reconsider your decision! », Pope Leo
“Bless us as Your sons”
This community founded by the French bishop Marcel Lefebvre, with around 600,000 faithful worldwide, had reproduced on Wednesday the “schismatic” act of the consecration of bishops which had already been at the origin of a first break with the Vatican in 1988, before the sanction was lifted in 2009 by Benedict XVI in the interests of appeasement.
In addition to the excommunication of the six bishops, the Vatican clarified Thursday that the lay faithful who “formally adhere” to the Society should “be considered schismatics and excommunicated.” “The Society of Saint Pius
However, the latter considered that the Brotherhood’s initiative came “in the midst of the doctrinal and moral confusion in which the Church is immersed.” “We are certain that one day You yourself or one of Your successors will want to make the program of Saint Pius X their own,” he further affirmed, calling on Leo XIX. “Despite Your recent decision, bless us as Your sons. For us, nothing has changed and nothing will ever change.”
