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COVINGTON, Ky. (WXIX) – The Vatican has declared the Society of St. Pius X a schismatic movement, and the Diocese of Covington is now warning Catholics to stop attending services at Our Lady of the Assumption in Walton — a church and school tied to the traditionalist Catholic group.
The Vatican said the dispute came to a head July 1, when the society ordained bishops over the objection of Pope Leo XIV. In a letter explaining the decision, Vatican officials wrote: “The holy People of God are warned that the sacred ministers of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X administer the sacraments illicitly.” The letter adds, “Those who formally adhere… are to be considered schismatic and excommunicated.”
The Vatican has declared the Society of St. Pius X a schismatic movement.(wxix)Diocese issues warning to Catholics
Bishop Iffert urged Catholics to stop attending services at Our Lady of the Assumption and to withdraw children from the school, saying, “Any sacraments celebrated by the priests of the SSPX are illicit. This means that the celebrations are not permitted by the law of the Church.”
The Diocese of Covington also clarified that the situation in Walton is not connected to St. Pius the Tenth Parish in Edgewood, which the diocese said remains in good standing.
SSPX says it will not back down
The society’s superior general, Reverend Davide Pagliarani, wrote directly to Pope Leo XIV defending the group’s mission. “What the Society of Saint Pius X has done, and will continue to do, is… an extraordinary initiative for the salvation of souls, amidst the doctrinal and moral confusion into which the Church is plunged,” Pagliarani wrote. He added, “We in no way claim to substitute ourselves for the Church… have no ambition other than to remain faithful to her.”
Parishioner responds to excommunication
Jacob Campbell, who lives across the street from the church and attended school there, said the excommunication of the society’s leaders is unjustified. “There’s a family spirit here,” Campbell said.
Campbell said he believes the bishops must remain. “We believe that for the survival of the Church, and for the traditions that She holds, we must keep the bishops around because the bishops are the fullness of the priesthood,” he said.
He also acknowledged the difficulty of the Vatican’s decision. “Well, I love the Pope. It was kind of sad to see that he, you know, kind of put us in a rough spot, if you will,” Campbell said.
On the church’s continued mission, Campbell said, “In my mind it’s just to continue what we’ve always done and that is to give the sacraments and to the Mass and to teach the students to be true men and true women.”
Catholics who continue to attend SSPX Masses or receive sacraments there could face consequences up to and including excommunication, according to the Vatican and the Diocese of Covington.
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