Conflicts between the Pope and ultra-conservative Catholic groups regarding the appointment of new bishops

The Pope has strongly urged an ultra-conservative Catholic group to abandon its decision to appoint new bishops without the Vatican's approval. This rebellious organization, named 'Society of Saint Pius X' (SSPX), plans to consecrate four new bishops at its seminary.

This has become a strong challenge for the American Pope, who was appointed last May and prioritizes the unity of the Catholic Church, and it is warned that this action could further damage relations with traditional right-wing Catholics.

The SSPX organization was founded in 1970 in the village of Ecône, Switzerland, in protest against the liberal reforms of the Catholic Church. This group, consisting of nearly 1,500 members, strongly rejects the reforms of the Second Vatican Council introduced between 1962 and 1965. They strongly oppose changes, including allowing masses, which were previously held only in Latin, to be celebrated in local languages. They state that modern churches contain heretical and erroneous practices, and that these episcopal appointments are merely a practical necessity, with no intention of establishing a separate authority within the Church.

However, according to Church law, such appointments are considered a schismatic act that breaks the unity of the Catholic Church, and the new bishops involved and the bishop performing the consecrations will be automatically excommunicated. Pope Leo XIV sent a letter to the head of the SSPX organization, Reverend David Pagliarani, wholeheartedly urging him to reconsider the decision, taking into account the harm this action would cause to the spiritual well-being of the faithful. He also pointed out that breaking the unity of Christ's Church is a grave sin. The Pope also told journalists that if this group continues to act in such a schismatic manner, he would regrettably have to proceed against them.

Rejecting the Pope's request, Marc-André Mabillard, media manager for the SSPX organization, told the Associated Press that they would not change their plans. He further stated that while he regrets that their leader does not understand them, the good they expect to achieve outweighs the pain it will cause. Meanwhile, Christopher White, a senior fellow and author at Georgetown University, points out that the clear mention of the consequences of excommunication confirms the seriousness of the situation, and that the Pope is not prepared to turn a blind eye to such arbitrary behavior for the sake of a false unity.