As the Vatican excommunicated four bishops of the ultra-traditionalist Society of Saint Pius X this week, notice was also served that the society’s priests and lay Catholics who formally adhere to it are also considered cut off from the Roman Catholic Church — a move that raises the spiritual stakes for thousands of followers worldwide.

Decades after triggering a rift with the Vatican by consecrating bishops in 1988, the Society of Saint Pius X is doing it again on Wednesday in defiance of Pope Leo XIV.

The ultratraditionalist Society of St. Pius X is planning to defy Pope Leo XIV by consecrating four bishops without his consent.