Vatican excommunicates over 500,000 followers of splinter sects

Vatican has excommunicated around 600,000 members of Society of Saint Pius X after consecrating four new bishops in Geneva on Wednesday. This unprecedented move signifies a major escalation in Church's response to SSPX's defiance, cutting off their connections and preventing them from participating in sacraments.

BRIC Team

Jul 2, 2026 · 1 min read · 2 views

Vatican excommunicates over 500,000 followers of splinter sects

Key Takeaways

•The Vatican excommunicated approximately 600,000 followers of the Society of Saint Pius X on Wednesday following the consecration of four new bishops.
•Rita Reid, a 76-year-old SSPX worshipper, defiantly stated, 'Even if they excommunicate us, go ahead, bring it on.'
•The SSPX has congregations primarily in the United States and France, with services held at 26 locations in the UK.
•The Vatican declared all SSPX members to be in schism, meaning they cannot participate in sacraments like confession and marriage.
•Historically, the SSPX faced excommunication in the 1980s, but previous reconciliations had led to a more conciliatory Vatican approach.

Vatican has excommunicated about 600,000 followers of Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX),a conservative Catholic sect,after consecrating four new bishops in Geneva Wednesday . This dramatic move includes all lay members,marking a big escalation in Church's response to SSPX's defiance of papal authority .

SSPX founded in 1970 as reaction to modernizing reforms of Second Vatican Council. Group has resisted changes to Catholic liturgy,doctrine. Prefers traditional practices like Latin Mass, specific communion rituals. Rita Reid,76,an SSPX worshipper from Jersey, remains defiant. "Even if they excommunicate us,go ahead,bring it on,it's not going to make one bit of difference," she said.

In rare step,Vatican declared all SSPX members in schism,severing ties to Roman Catholic Church. This means SSPX members can't participate in sacraments,like confession,marriage,within Church. Vatican emphasized sacraments by SSPX clergy are illicit,invalid .

SSPX's main bases are U.S.,France,with services also in UK at 26 locations. Group's traditional Catholic values,including social conservatism,set it apart from mainstream Church,which has embraced interfaith dialogue.

SSPX has faced excommunication before,notably in 1980s when bishops defied Rome. Previous reconciliation efforts led to more conciliatory Vatican approach. But recent excommunication of lay members surprised many,signifying deeper rift than ever.

SSPX asserts its beliefs,many followers see Vatican's actions as departure from true Catholic doctrine. Reid noted decline in traditional teachings within modern Church,lamenting younger congregants at standard Mass dismiss longstanding moral values.

Vatican said it would welcome back those leaving SSPX,but schism presents tough choice for members . They must weigh commitment to group's traditions against desire to stay in broader Catholic community .

SSPX's situation mirrors ongoing tensions in Catholic Church as it grapples with modernity,tradition. With Vatican's latest decree,divide between SSPX and Roman Catholic Church seems more pronounced than ever…