More than 140 Catholics residing in Toronto have requested their archbishop, Cardinal Frank Leo, to mediate the escalating conflict between the Vatican and the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX). The SSPX, a breakaway ultraconservative priestly fraternity, plans to consecrate four priests as bishops on July 1 without the approval of Pope Leo XIV. The Vatican has warned that such actions would lead to excommunication.
This week, a group of Catholics personally delivered a letter to Cardinal Leo, supporting the SSPX’s upcoming consecrations. They requested his mediation with the pope and expressed a plea for “paternal approval” of the consecrations, emphasizing their “spirit of charity and pastoral concern.” José LoMonaco, along with his wife, organized the letter, arguing the consecrations as essential “to preserve the Tradition.” LoMonaco stated, “To ordain traditional priests in the traditional Roman rite, traditional bishops are needed.” The SSPX currently relies on two bishops nearing their 70s. Without new bishops, the fraternity’s operations would face challenges.
Details of the Letter
The letter’s signatories identify as “faithful Catholics residing in Toronto, united by a profound love for the Holy, Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman Church.” While none of the signatories belong to the SSPX, many frequent SSPX chapels in the Greater Toronto Area.
The group mentioned they had thoroughly reviewed a Declaration of Catholic Faith presented to Pope Leo by SSPX Superior General Father Davide Pagliarani. They expressed a wish to formally align with that document. Describing the declaration’s teachings as “the living foundation of our interior desire for sanctification through the unbroken deposit of Tradition,” they stated their letter was both a profession of faith and an appeal to church authorities. They asked the Holy See to “grant its paternal approval to the upcoming episcopal consecrations.” Neither the Vatican nor Cardinal Leo has publicly responded. Newsweek reached out to the Archdiocese of Toronto and the Holy See Press Office for comment.
SSPX’s Firm Stance
On Wednesday, the SSPX revealed the names of the priests it intends to consecrate as bishops: Father Michael Goldade (United States), Father Pascal Schreiber (Switzerland), Father Michel Poinsinet de Sivry (France), and Father Marc Hanappier (France).
In response to the Vatican’s warning from Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, who indicated that unapproved consecrations would constitute “a schismatic act” and result in excommunication, the SSPX reiterated its commitment to proceeding. Pagliarani’s response emphasized a refusal to “renounce” their principles and highlighted the SSPX’s longstanding warnings to the Vatican about “modernist errors.” He suggested that the only Vatican responses have involved “canonical sanctions.”
Lengthy Dispute
The Vatican’s dispute with the SSPX has persisted for over 50 years. Founded in 1970 by French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, the society opposed reforms from the Second Vatican Council, including changes to liturgy and interfaith relations. The rift intensified in 1988 when Lefebvre consecrated four bishops without papal approval, leading to the Vatican branding the act schismatic and imposing excommunications. Although some penalties were lifted later, the SSPX still holds an irregular status within the Catholic Church.
Despite recognizing the pope and accepting much Catholic teaching, the SSPX frequently conflicts with Rome over perceived deviations from traditional doctrine. The fraternity has criticized the Vatican’s 2023 declaration Fiducia Supplicans, which allowed nonliturgical blessings for people in same-sex relationships, arguing that such blessings create confusion about Catholic moral teaching.
Efforts by successive popes to reconcile with the society have faced challenges. Disagreements over the Second Vatican Council, Church authority, and modern pastoral reforms remain obstacles to a lasting resolution.