Traditionalist Catholic ordained bishops French Marc Hanappier, French Michel Poinsinet de Sivry, US’s Michael Goldade and Swiss Pascal Schreiber stands during the schismatic consecration of bishops by the traditionalist Catholic Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) in Econe, western Switzerland, on July 1, 2026. On June 30, 2026, Pope Leo XIV urged the Society to abandon its plan to ordain bishops without Vatican approval, warning it would lead to automatic excommunication. Founded in 1970 in Econe by French bishop Marcel Lefebvre, the Society of Saint Pius X categorically rejects the changes in the Church since the Second Vatican Council. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)
The Society of Saint Pius X consecrated four new bishops on Wednesday in defiance of Pope Leo XIV, who pleaded with the ultra-traditionalist breakaway group to turn back from what he called a “schismatic act” with Rome.
At a ceremony in Econe in southwest Switzerland, attended by thousands of worshippers from around the world and witnessed by AFP, the society’s last two remaining bishops consecrated four new ones: two French, one American and one Swiss.
By going ahead without the pontiff’s approval, all six bishops are de facto excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church.
