Yesterday the leaders of the Priestly Society of St. Pius X consecrated four bishops without the permission of the Pope and thereby excommunicated themselves.
Excommunications are rare these days, in part because the unity of the Church has been shattered. Huge amounts of Catholics have fallen away and either pushed the “easy button” and become Protestant or given up on Christianity (or religion) entirely.
The SSPX is a bit different. The Society was formed in the wake of Vatican II as a traditionalist movement and its situation was always described as “irregular.” The group was founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, and for that reason they are sometimes known as “Lefebvreists.” Originally centered in Switzerland and France, the group has expanded over the decades thanks to its dedication to the Traditional Latin Mass, which has now become quite popular, in spite of (or perhaps because of) Pope Francis trying to clamp down on it.
As in so many conflicts, the stated issue isn’t really the actual issue. Lefebvre was excommunicated in 1988 for ordaining four bishops, but that was subsequently lifted by Pope Benedict and the SSPX was treated well by Pope Francis.
Pope Leo has a great love of tradition, and the restrictions Francis imposed on traditional rites are slowly being relaxed. The incremental pace upsets some traditionalists, but Pope Leo has placed a heavy emphasis on continuity so he prefers to make changes gradually, rather than treating the Vatican like a parliament where the new Prime Minister shakes things up upon taking office.
The core issue here transcends the minutiae of Church canon law, and has more to do with the exercise of power and authority than anything else. It is not uncommon for reactionaries to form a rebellious faction in the name of preserving tradition and over time, getting used to doing what they want rather than maintaining the actual tradition. It is a form of mission creep (no pun intended).
One of the key questions that the SSPX has never satisfactorily answered was “Why now?” It is widely surmised that Pope Francis would have raised no objection to them creating more bishops, but they instead waited until a new pope was elected before making noise.
They claim to have an “emergency,” which gives them permission, but they can’t point out what exactly it is. The 1988 bishops are getting old, but that’s been going on since they were consecrated.
Over the last few months letters have gone back and forth and it is increasingly obvious that the SSPX has gone from “guarding tradition” to lecturing the rest of the Church on what they need to be, even to the point of declaring that the modern Mass (Novus Ordo) is invalid as are the sacraments provided by the priests who perform it.
Going from “we just want to maintain the old ways, don’t mind us” to “everything everyone else is doing is wrong, and only we are the only Actual Catholics.”
As with all schisms and heresies, this is nothing new. After Vatican I, a group of Catholic refused to recognize it and split away, and fringe descendants are still out there. Amusingly, they now ordain women and have adopted all sorts of modernist practices.
It appears the SSPX is on the same path. I suppose it’s only a matter of time before they start creating cardinals and an anti-pope, and the real question is whether their parishioners will stay on the crazy train or look to remain in communion with the rest of the Church. Back in the zany 1970s, the SSPX may have felt more genuine than bongo-beating Jesus freaks receiving the Host on the hand while singing “Michael Row Your Boat Ashore,” but times have changed.
Even where the Novus Ordo is used, it is becoming much more traditional, but in form and in decorations. The weird stylized 1970s decorations and plain white walls are being redecorated with traditional icons and artwork. Altar rails are returning and a great many worshippers now kneel to receive the Host. Leo seems likely to continue this trend in part because he likes and respects it, but also because it is drawing huge numbers of young people into the Church.
All we can do is continue to pray for unity, and that the SSPX leadership considered the full gravity of what they are doing.
To put it another way, if they openly defy the Throne of St. Peter, they were never really Catholic in the first place.
Chateau Lloyd 
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