The Vatican has declared the automatic excommunication of leading figures of the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X, the Lefebvrists, following the controversial ordination of four new bishops carried out without papal approval.
The decree, issued by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and signed by Prefect Víctor M. Fernández, describes the act as “of a schismatic nature” and refers to the sanctions provided under canon law for the crime of schism.
The decree states that Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta, together with the newly ordained bishops Pascal Schreiber, Michael Goldade, Michel Poinsinet de Sivry and Marc Hanappier, are considered excommunicated "latae sententiae".
A further sanction also applies to Bishop Bernard Fellay, named as a co-consecrator and therefore directly involved in what the Holy See judges an illicit act.
The decree also warns the faithful and clergy against aligning themselves with the position of the Society, stating that even simple participation in the schism would entail the same canonical penalty.
