The Holy See excommunicates the bishops of the FSSPX and confirms the schism

The Holy See has excommunicated Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta and the four priests who were consecrated as bishops without a papal mandate, following the episcopal ordinations celebrated by the Priestly Fraternity Saint Pius X (FSSPX) despite repeated warnings from Rome and Pope Leo XIV’s appeal for them to abandon that plan.

The decree, signed by the prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, states that Alfonso de Galarreta, «having committed an act of a schismatic nature through the episcopal consecration of four priests, without a papal mandate and against the will of the Supreme Pontiff,» has incurred ipso facto in accordance with the penalties provided for in the Code of Canon Law.

Consequently, the Dicastery declares «for all legal purposes» that Alfonso de Galarreta, as well as Pascal Schreiber, Michael Goldade, Michel Poinsinet de Sivry, and Marc Hanappier, have incurred ipso facto in excommunication latae sententiae reserved for the Apostolic See.

Furthermore, the decree states that Bishop Bernard Fellay has also been excommunicated latae sententiae, having participated as a co-consecrator in the celebration and having publicly endorsed the act that the Holy See describes as schismatic.

The document concludes with a warning addressed to both the clergy and the lay faithful not to join the schism of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X, since, if they did so, they would likewise incur the penalty of excommunication latae sententiae.

An explanatory note elaborates on the scope of the decision

Along with the decree, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has published an explanatory note setting forth the reasons for the decision and detailing its canonical and pastoral implications.

The document begins by noting that, from the pontificate of St. Paul VI to the recent discussions held by the Dicastery itself, «the many attempts to bring the followers of the movement founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre back into full communion with the Catholic Church have been unsuccessful.».

According to the Note, the situation has definitely worsened with the recent episcopal consecrations carried out «without a papal mandate, against the will of the Holy Father, and in open violation of canon law.».

For this reason, the Dicastery considers it necessary to declare that these consecrations «have constituted the crime of schism,» recalling that St. John Paul II had already stated in the apostolic letter Ecclesia Dei that the consecration of bishops without a papal mandate constitutes «a schismatic act,» as it implies «a practical rejection of the Roman Primacy.».

The ministers of the Fraternity are now considered schismatics

The Note states, as a first consequence, that «sacred ministers belonging to the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X are in schism and, therefore, must be considered schismatics,» and are subject to the excommunication provided for in canon 1364 §1 of the Code of Canon Law.

The Dicastery bases this assertion on both the apostolic letter Ecclesia Dei as in the Explanatory Note published in 1996 by the then Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, whose doctrine it considers to be fully in force.

The Situation of the Lay Faithful

With regard to the lay faithful, those who formally join the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X under the conditions set forth in the Explanatory Note to the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, 1996 (see ibid., 7), which is still in force and which this Dicastery endorses:

«In the case of other faithful, however, it is clear that occasional participation in liturgical acts or activities of the Lefebvrian movement—without adopting the attitude of doctrinal and disciplinary disunity characteristic of that movement—is not sufficient to constitute formal membership in it. In pastoral practice, it may be more difficult to assess their situation. It is necessary to take into account, above all, the individual’s intention and how this inner disposition is translated into action. Consequently, the various situations must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the competent bodies of the external and internal forums.».

A Note on the Sacraments

The Note also devotes a section to the administration of the sacraments by the Fraternity.

In it, he warns the People of God that their ministers «administer the sacraments unlawfully» and expressly states that both the sacrament of penance administered by them and the marriages solemnized by their ministers «are invalid.».

For this reason, it urges the faithful to refrain from participating in the celebrations and activities organized by the Fraternity.

An Invitation to Return to Full Communion

In addition to canonical measures, the Dicastery emphasizes that the purpose of these decisions is not solely disciplinary.

«The Church, as a caring mother, will welcome with sincere affection and deep concern all those who wish to return to full communion,» states the Note, announcing that the apostolic nuncios will establish the procedures that the ordinaries may follow in each case to facilitate that return.

Finally, the document urges all the faithful to remain steadfast in communion with the Roman Pontiff, with the bishops in communion with him, and with the entire Church, recalling that ecclesial unity is an essential element of the life of the Church.