Thousands of people gathered in the Swiss village of Écône on Wednesday as the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) ordained four new Catholic bishops, ignoring a direct appeal from Pope Leo XIV to halt the ceremony.

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The newly ordained bishops include one from the United States, one from Switzerland and two from France. They belong to the traditionalist SSPX, a group founded by French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre that has long opposed key reforms introduced by the Catholic Church following the Second Vatican Council.

Ordinations Go Ahead Despite Vatican Warning

Earlier this week, Pope Leo described the planned ordinations as a "schismatic act" that could "tear the seamless garment of Christ" and urged SSPX leaders not to proceed.

Despite the warning, the ceremony took place under grey Alpine skies before a crowd estimated at more than 15,000 people.

Traditional Ceremony Highlights Long-Running Dispute

Hundreds of priests in ceremonial robes processed through Écône carrying candles, crosses and incense before entering a large tent erected in a nearby field.

During the Latin-language ceremony, the four bishop candidates lay prostrate before the altar with their heads resting on red velvet cushions before taking their ordination vows.

The SSPX rejects several reforms introduced by the Vatican during the 1960s and 1970s. Among them are the use of local languages instead of Latin during Mass, greater engagement with other religions, support for religious freedom, and liturgical changes such as priests facing the congregation during services.

The group has argued that these reforms moved the Church away from its traditional teachings and practices.

Pope Faces Fresh Test Over Church Unity

Ordaining bishops without the Pope's approval is considered one of the most serious breaches of Catholic Church unity.

When the SSPX last ordained bishops without papal consent in 1988, those bishops were immediately excommunicated. Pope Benedict XVI lifted those excommunications in 2009 in an effort to improve relations, although the broader dispute remained unresolved.

Pope Leo is now expected to exclude the four newly ordained bishops from the Catholic Church, though the Vatican has not announced any further disciplinary measures.

SSPX Superior General Davide Pagliarani rejected suggestions that the ordinations were intended to deepen divisions. Addressing those attending the ceremony, he said the group acted "precisely because we love the Pope as the vicar of Christ, as the head of the Church" and added that it did not want to see the Pope "humiliated any more, on the side of false shepherds representing false religions".

Small Movement With Global Reach

Although the SSPX is estimated to have around 600,000 followers compared with the Catholic Church's more than 1.4 billion members, it has established a presence in dozens of countries, including the United States, where it has a strong following in Kansas.

The Écône ceremony was livestreamed on YouTube in seven languages. Visitors could also buy commemorative merchandise, including "Écône2026" baseball caps and gift packs of Swiss wine featuring labels depicting a bishop's mitre.

The events present an early challenge for Pope Leo, who has only recently assumed the papacy. While he has declared the ordinations illegitimate and warned they threaten Church unity, further action against the SSPX could risk deepening the divisions he has warned against.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 2 July 2026

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More people should ignore Pope Leo.

Hopefully this starts a trend.

Pope Leo is the only sensible voice. If these renegades keep Latin in the Mass and adopt liberation theology, it's a good thing. Except, of course, for JD.

5 hours ago, JonnyF said:

More people should ignore Pope Leo.

Hopefully this starts a trend.

Why?

4 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Except, of course, for JD.

Who or what is "JD" in this connection?

Touching...touching to see leaders on the top of their respective food chain, still living in the Middle Ages.

On 7/2/2026 at 5:51 PM, scottiejohn said:

Why?

Because he's a mouthy American leftist political activist masquerading as a Pope.

He was a terrible choice. He will do great damage to the catholic church. I support his immediate removal.

All this trouble and fuss, all the hate, war, and bigotry, over an imaginary friend.... or is it one of several imaginary friends ... oh, sorry, there is but one, but somehow he/she/it/they is split into three......!

Sheeple, grow up. There is no Santa Clause.

1 hour ago, Grusa said:

All this trouble and fuss, all the hate, war, and bigotry, over an imaginary friend.... or is it one of several imaginary friends ... oh, sorry, there is but one, but somehow he/she/it/they is split into three......!

Sheeple, grow up. There is no Santa Clause.

However, there is a Santa Claus.....

Although I was never a Roman, I had a soft spot for the Latin mass.

When I failed to become a judge, I knew it was because I didn't have the Latin for the judging.

Having a mouthy opinionated liberal American as pope is a new low for Catholicism.

Get rid before it destroys the church.

18 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Having a mouthy opinionated liberal American as pope is a new low for Catholicism.

Get rid before it destroys the church.

So Jonny, you seem to have a problem with “mouthy opinionated “ people.

Looked in the mirror lately?

On 7/2/2026 at 12:51 PM, scottiejohn said:

Why?

On 7/2/2026 at 12:51 PM, scottiejohn said:

Why?

On 7/2/2026 at 12:51 PM, scottiejohn said:

Why?

Because Leo sinned by contradicting Trump! 😂

Oh dear! Now they've been excommunicated, does that mean they'll be going to Hell?

17 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

Oh dear! Now they've been excommunicated, does that mean they'll be going to Hell?

They'll probably send them to Manchester.

21 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Having a mouthy opinionated liberal American as pope is a new low for Catholicism

from chicago too. thats old timey polack catholicism.

Actually, this dissenting group was founded in 1970. 😄

18 hours ago, Red Forever said:

So Jonny, you seem to have a problem with “mouthy opinionated “ people.

Only when they are Liberals.

18 hours ago, Red Forever said:

Looked in the mirror lately?

Yep. Still gorgeous. 😀