Changes

In 1970, the Bishop of Lausanne, Geneva, and Fribourg, His Excellency Bishop Charriere, officially recognized the canonical validity of the new Society.<ref>https://sspx.org/en/about/history</ref>  At the same time, a group of Swiss laymen offered their 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>https://sspx.org/en/about/history</ref>  At the same time, a group of Swiss laymen offered their property in Econe to the Archbishop as a seminary for future priests.

    

    

The canonical status was confirmed on February 18, 1971 by the prefect for the Sacred Congregation for the Clergy, Cardinal,<ref>https://sspx.org/en/about/history</ref> who praised the society's statutes and recognized it as an international Catholic society with the power to incardinate its clergy.  Thus, the Society became legally recognized as a legitimate Catholic society, unable to be suppressed without a genuine reason or following strict canonical procedures.

The canonical status was confirmed on February 18, 1971, by the prefect for the Sacred Congregation for the Clergy, Cardinal,<ref>https://sspx.org/en/about/history</ref> who praised the society's statutes and recognized it as an international Catholic society with the power to incardinate its clergy.  Thus, the Society became legally recognized as a legitimate Catholic society, unable to be suppressed without a genuine reason or following strict canonical procedures.

==Strained Relations with Rome==

==Strained Relations with Rome==

==Econe Consecrations==

==Econe Consecrations==

His health failing, and fearing that his death may mark the end of the traditional Sacraments, Archbishop Lefebvre declared on February 2, 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 30, 1988.

His health failing, and fearing that his death may mark the end of the traditional Sacraments, Archbishop Lefebvre declared on February 2, 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 30, 1988.

On June 29, 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 29, 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 30, 1988, Archbishop Lefebre, alongside Brazilian Bishop Antonio de Castro Mayer, consecrated four Bishops in the traditional rite of Consecration.  The four priests consecrated were: Father Bernard Fellay, Father Richard Williamson, Father Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, and Father Alfonso de Galarreta.  Before consecrating the men, Archbishop Lefebvre made it clear that he was not breaking with Rome, nor was he renouncing the Papacy of John Paul II.  But he insisted that the Catholic Faith was not being voiced by Rome and, as a Bishop, he had a duty to preserve the Faith, whatever the cost. .<ref>http://www.sspx.org/SSPX_FAQs/appendix_iii_history_5.htm</ref>

On June 30, 1988, Archbishop Lefebre, alongside Brazilian Bishop Antonio de Castro Mayer, consecrated four Bishops in the traditional rite of Consecration.  The four priests consecrated were: Father Bernard Fellay, Father Richard Williamson, Father Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, and Father Alfonso de Galarreta.  Before consecrating the men, Archbishop Lefebvre made it clear that he was not breaking with Rome, nor was he renouncing the Papacy of John Paul II.  But he insisted that the Catholic Faith was not being voiced by Rome and, as a Bishop, he had a duty to preserve the Faith, whatever the cost. .<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. In either case according to the St Augustinian theory a bishop retains his power to ordain Priests and consecrate other bishops, even if excommunicated by the[[Roman_Catholic_Church | Roman Catholic Church]] so its bishops and priests are valid.

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. In either case according to the St Augustinian theory a bishop retains his power to ordain Priests and consecrate other bishops, even if excommunicated by the[[Roman Catholic Church]] so its bishops and priests are valid.

==== Society of St. Pius V ====  

==== Society of St. Pius V ====  

In 1983 the [https://stpiusvchapel.org/ Society of St. Pius V] A small group broke off from the Society of St. Pius X in the USA. Both now exist in the USA. <ref>https://sspv.org/index.php</ref>

In 1983 the [https://stpiusvchapel.org/ Society of St. Pius V] A small group broke off from the Society of St. Pius X in the USA. Both now exist in the USA.<ref>https://sspv.org/index.php</ref>

===Continuing Disputes===

===Continuing Disputes===

Pope Francis further restricts the saying of Mass in Latin which confirms SSPX as a separate church. <ref>https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-vatican-city-religion-13fb8d27e538fc0aafec26a5087d387e</ref> Certain separate churches like this one are recognized to have valid but illicit bishops<ref>https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/22738/vatican-explains-teaching-on-illicit-ordinations</ref> and priests. However illicit bishops and priests can still perform valid sacraments <ref>https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/59640/which-sacraments-can-be-administered-validly-but-illicitly</ref><br> The bishops from the 1988 Society of St. Pius X Econe Consecrations 2 had passed away and others had grown very old, so '''on July 1 2026''' in Econe SSPX ordained 4 more bishops<ref>https://www.ncronline.org/vatican/vatican-news/defying-pope-and-facing-excommunication-sspx-consecrates-bishops-huge-outdoor</ref> <ref>https://nuntiatoria.org/2026/02/02/the-sspx-and-the-question-of-new-bishops-2/</ref>. <br>'''In 2026 Pope Leo XIV has excommunicated these bishops Priests and SSPX Church members which makes SSPX a separate church<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/02/vatican-excommunicates-all-members-of-ultra-conservative-rebels-sspx</ref><ref>https://fsspx.news/en/news/letter-holy-father-regarding-decree-dicastery-doctrine-faith-59956</ref>.''' However, these Bishops and Priests are still covered under [[Apostolic_succession#St_Augustinian_Theory | Apostolic Succession]], so can perform valid Sacraments.

Pope Francis further restricts the saying of Mass in Latin which confirms SSPX as a separate church.<ref>https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-vatican-city-religion-13fb8d27e538fc0aafec26a5087d387e</ref> Certain separate churches like this one are recognized to have valid but illicit bishops<ref>https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/22738/vatican-explains-teaching-on-illicit-ordinations</ref> and priests. However illicit bishops and priests can still perform valid sacraments <ref>https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/59640/which-sacraments-can-be-administered-validly-but-illicitly</ref><br> The bishops from the 1988 Society of St. Pius X Econe Consecrations 2 had passed away and others had grown very old, so '''on July 1, 2026''' in Econe SSPX ordained 4 more bishops.<ref>https://www.ncronline.org/vatican/vatican-news/defying-pope-and-facing-excommunication-sspx-consecrates-bishops-huge-outdoor</ref><ref>https://nuntiatoria.org/2026/02/02/the-sspx-and-the-question-of-new-bishops-2/</ref> <br>'''In 2026 Pope Leo XIV has excommunicated these bishops Priests and SSPX Church members which makes SSPX a separate church.<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/02/vatican-excommunicates-all-members-of-ultra-conservative-rebels-sspx</ref><ref>https://fsspx.news/en/news/letter-holy-father-regarding-decree-dicastery-doctrine-faith-59956</ref>''' However, these Bishops and Priests are still covered under [[Apostolic succession#St Augustinian Theory|Apostolic Succession]], so can perform valid Sacraments.

==The Society of St. Pius X Church in the 21st Century==

==The Society of St. Pius X Church in the 21st Century==

The Society of St. Pius X Church is governed by the [[Superior Religious order | Superior General]], who resides with his assistants, the Secretary General and the General Bursar, in the General House situated in Menzingen, Switzerland <ref>https://fsspx.org/en</ref>. SSPX is Organized into 14 districts worldwide similar to dioceses, each of which is entrusted to a local superior. Auxiliary bishops assist the districts. The USA is under one district a list of its churches can be found via this link <ref>https://sspx.org/en/list-sspx-chapels</ref>.

The Society of St. Pius X Church is governed by the [[Superior Religious order|Superior General]], who resides with his assistants, the Secretary General and the General Bursar, in the General House situated in Menzingen, Switzerland.<ref>https://fsspx.org/en</ref> SSPX is Organized into 14 districts worldwide similar to dioceses, each of which is entrusted to a local superior. Auxiliary bishops assist the districts. The USA is under one district a list of its churches can be found via this link.<ref>https://sspx.org/en/list-sspx-chapels</ref>

The Society has Priestly Seminaries in [[France]], [[Buenos Aires]] ([[Argentina]]) and other places.

The Society has Priestly Seminaries in [[France]], [[Buenos Aires]] ([[Argentina]]) and other places.