Four new bishops have been ordained in Valais – without the consent of the Pope.
Jul 2, 2026, 2:07 amJul 2, 2026, 2:07 am
Four bishops were ordained in Valais on Wednesday morning – although the Pope was against it.Image: Keystone
It was the main report on the Italian news portals on Wednesday: The Pius Brothers have ordained four new bishops in Ecône in the Lower Valais community of Riddes. Now exponents of the brotherhood are threatened with expulsion from the Catholic Church, because episcopal ordinations require the consent of the Pope.
But that is not available. Pope Leo XIV had implored the Pius Brothers to refrain from consecration. Those responsible ignored the appeal and thus accepted excommunication.
His appeal for moderation remains unheard: Pope Leo XIV.Image: keystone
The Pius Brothers reject reforms of the Second Vatican Council, which took place in St. Peter’s Basilica from 1962 to 1965. The brotherhood is against the reform of the liturgy and holds mass in Latin. It opposes ecumenical openness to other Christian churches, interreligious dialogue and the teaching on religious freedom.
Brotherhood without regular canonical status
The community was founded in 1970 by Marcel Lefebvre, a French archbishop. The followers of the Pius Brotherhood are therefore also called Lefebvrists.
Marcel Lefebvre consecrated four bishops in 1988; As a result, he and the four newly ordained were excommunicated by Pope John Paul II. Lefebvre died in 1991. Pope Benedict XVI. lifted the excommunication of the four bishops in 2009, but as a result the Society of St. Pius X did not receive regular canonical status.
The brotherhood was founded in 1970 by the French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre.Image: AP
The community assumes that around 600,000 believers worldwide adhere to it. Compared to the total of around 1.4 billion Catholics, this is a small proportion. Nevertheless, the SSPX has established itself as an influential traditionalist force within Catholicism.
Pope cannot exclude the entire community
What does the Swiss Bishops’ Conference say about the controversial ordination of a bishop on Wednesday morning in Valais? Maurice Greder, head of the communications service, writes: “The Swiss Bishops’ Conference noted the events in Ecône with great regret. Unfortunately, several of the Holy Father’s calls for repentance were not heard. Since the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Apostolic See, we will refrain from further comment.”
What happens now? Italian newspapers believe a schism is inevitable. However, it is important to note that according to Catholic canon law, excommunication is a personal church punishment. It can only affect natural persons – i.e. individual believers, deacons, priests or bishops. A community or organization as such cannot be excommunicated.
Many followers of the Pius Brothers attended the episcopal ordination in Ecône in Lower Valais.Image: Keystone
The Pope cannot exclude the Priestly Society of St. Pius X as a whole. However, if the bishops ordained by it and possibly other key leaders were to be excommunicated, this would amount to an open break between the Vatican and the community. (schweiztoday.ch)