Changes

==Creation and Beginnings==

==Creation and Beginnings==

The Society of St. Pius X originated as a reaction to the reforms of the Second Vatican Council within the Catholic Church.  In 1968, a group of French seminarians, concerned with the orthodoxy of their priestly training, as well as being scandalised by the overt Communism they percieved to have infected much of the clergy<ref>http://www.sspx.org/SSPX_FAQs/appendix_iii_history_1.htm</ref> sought out the then-recently retired French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, with the request that he adopt the task of overseeing their priestly formation.  Originally reluctant due to his age, Archbishop Lefebvre eventually relented, realizing that it would symbolize an abandonment of Church tradition if he abandoned the pleading seminarians.  Thus, International Priestly Society of St. Pius X was unofficially created.   

The Society of St. Pius X originated as a reaction to the reforms of the Second Vatican Council within the Catholic Church.  In 1968, a group of French seminarians, concerned with the orthodoxy of their priestly training, as well as being scandalised by the overt Communism they perceived to have infected much of the clergy<ref>http://www.sspx.org/SSPX_FAQs/appendix_iii_history_1.htm</ref> sought out the then-recently retired French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, with the request that he adopt the task of overseeing their priestly formation.  Originally reluctant due to his age, Archbishop Lefebvre eventually relented, realizing that it would symbolize an abandonment of Church tradition if he abandoned the pleading seminarians.  Thus, International Priestly Society of St. Pius X was unofficially created.   

In 1970, the Bishop of Lausanne, Geneva, and Fribourg, His Excellency Bishop Charriere, officially recognized the canonical validity of the new Society.<ref>http://www.sspx.org/SSPX_FAQs/q1_sspx.htm</ref>  At the same time, a Swiss layman offers his property in Econe to the Archbishop as a seminary for future priests.

In 1970, the Bishop of Lausanne, Geneva, and Fribourg, His Excellency Bishop Charriere, officially recognized the canonical validity of the new Society.<ref>http://www.sspx.org/SSPX_FAQs/q1_sspx.htm</ref>  At the same time, a Swiss layman offers his property in Econe to the Archbishop as a seminary for future priests.

In response to Lefebvre's traditional Catholic stance, the French Episcopal Council denounced Econe as 'the wildcat seminary'.<ref>http://www.sspx.org/SSPX_FAQs/appendix_iii_history_1.htm</ref>

In response to Lefebvre's traditional Catholic stance, the French Episcopal Council denounced Econe as 'the wildcat seminary'.<ref>http://www.sspx.org/SSPX_FAQs/appendix_iii_history_1.htm</ref>

In November 1974, two apostolic visitors from Rome arrive at Econe.  Whilst speaking to the seminarians and teaching staff, they scandalise the faithful by giving support to contraception and ordination of married men.  In response to this, Archbishop Lefebvre pens his Declaration, condeming Rome as 'neo-Modernist' and 'neo-Protestant', and pledging his allegiance to the traditional Catholic faith, regardless of what innovations Rome may espouse. <ref>http://www.sspx.org/SSPX_FAQs/appendix_I._declaration.htm</ref>

In November 1974, two apostolic visitors from Rome arrive at Econe.  Whilst speaking to the seminarians and teaching staff, they scandalise the faithful by giving support to contraception and ordination of married men.  In response to this, Archbishop Lefebvre pens his Declaration, condemning Rome as 'neo-Modernist' and 'neo-Protestant', and pledging his allegiance to the traditional Catholic faith, regardless of what innovations Rome may espouse. <ref>http://www.sspx.org/SSPX_FAQs/appendix_I._declaration.htm</ref>

==Econe Consecrations==

==Econe Consecrations==

His health failing, and fearing that his death may mark the end of the traditional Sacraments, Archbishop Lefebvre declared on Febraruy 2nd 1988 that he intended to consecrate three Bishops, in order to keep the Sacraments of Confirmation and Ordination available to all Catholics.  On hearing this news, Rome took the step of renewing negotions with the Society and an agreement is reached on the May 5th, allowing the Society to become an approved Society of Apostolic Life and agreeing that one Society priest would be consecrated a Bishop at a time stated by Pope John Paul II.  However, the Archbishop realised that no time limit was placed on Rome's assurances and, fearing that the agreement was a ploy to distract him until his death, announced that he would proceed with the Episcopal Consecrations on June 30th 1988.

His health failing, and fearing that his death may mark the end of the traditional Sacraments, Archbishop Lefebvre declared on February 2nd 1988 that he intended to consecrate three Bishops, in order to keep the Sacraments of Confirmation and Ordination available to all Catholics.  On hearing this news, Rome took the step of renewing negations with the Society and an agreement is reached on the May 5th, allowing the Society to become an approved Society of Apostolic Life and agreeing that one Society priest would be consecrated a Bishop at a time stated by Pope John Paul II.  However, the Archbishop realised that no time limit was placed on Rome's assurances and, fearing that the agreement was a ploy to distract him until his death, announced that he would proceed with the Episcopal Consecrations on June 30th 1988.

On June 29th, Rome made a last attempt to persuade the Archbishop not to continue with his intentions.  A driver is sent to Econe and a promise is made that, if he returns to Rome with the driver, the Pope will personally speak to him and attempt to find another solution.  The Archbishop refused.<ref>http://www.sspx.org/SSPX_FAQs/appendix_iii_history_5.htm</ref>   

On June 29th, Rome made a last attempt to persuade the Archbishop not to continue with his intentions.  A driver is sent to Econe and a promise is made that, if he returns to Rome with the driver, the Pope will personally speak to him and attempt to find another solution.  The Archbishop refused.<ref>http://www.sspx.org/SSPX_FAQs/appendix_iii_history_5.htm</ref>   

On the 2nd July 1988, Pope John Paul II issued his Apostolic Letter 'Ecclesia Dei' in which he condemned the consecrations as 'unlawful', an act of 'disobedience' and, therefore, a 'schismatic act'.<ref>http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/motu_proprio/documents/hf_jp-ii_motu-proprio_02071988_ecclesia-dei_en.html</ref>  As a result, the Pope claimed that the Archbishop and four new Bishops had automatically incurred the penalty of excommunication. However, the Pope did not formally excommunicate the five men, nor was he speaking ex cathedra but only as a private theologian.

On the 2nd July 1988, Pope John Paul II issued his Apostolic Letter 'Ecclesia Dei' in which he condemned the consecrations as 'unlawful', an act of 'disobedience' and, therefore, a 'schismatic act'.<ref>http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/motu_proprio/documents/hf_jp-ii_motu-proprio_02071988_ecclesia-dei_en.html</ref>  As a result, the Pope claimed that the Archbishop and four new Bishops had automatically incurred the penalty of excommunication. However, the Pope did not formally excommunicate the five men, nor was he speaking ex cathedra but only as a private theologian.