Vatican excommunicates six ultraconservative bishops over ordination
The Vatican has excommunicated six ultraconservative bishops from the Society of St Pius X following their unauthorized ordination of new bishops. The Holy See labeled the act as schismatic and warned that lay followers who support the group face similar penalties.
Why it matters
This development marks a significant escalation in the ongoing theological and structural rift between the Vatican and traditionalist Catholic factions.
The Vatican excommunicated six bishops from the ultraconservative Society of St Pius X on Thursday (July 2, 2026), while warning that any lay believers who "formally adhere" to the breakaway Catholic group would suffer the same fate.
The article presents the Vatican's perspective and the group's defense in a balanced manner.
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