Lefebvrians: what does the Priestly Fraternity of St Pius X – which is at risk of schism – stand for?

The aims of the so-called Lefebvrians were to preserve the traditional liturgy in accordance with the 1962 Missal and the priestly formation practised prior to the Second Vatican Council. ‘Its rejection of liturgical disorder and new doctrines has led to many misunderstandings regarding the Fraternity,’ reads the official website of St Pius X.

Between the 1970s and the 1980s, the Fraternity’s relationship with the Holy See gradually deteriorated.

In 1975 - following the publication by Lefebvre of a Declaration in November of the previous year, in which he formally set out his refusal to follow ‘the neo-modernist and neo-Protestant tendencies in Rome that became clearly evident during and after the Second Vatican Council’ - the ecclesiastical authorities revoked the Fraternity’s canonical recognition and ordered its suppression.

Lefebvre challenges the decision and continues the activities of the Écône seminary.

The following year, in 1976, despite the Holy See’s ban, Monsignor Lefebvre ordained the first priests who had been trained within the Fraternity and was suspended a divinis, that is, deprived of the authorisation to legitimately exercise the priestly and episcopal ministry.

The real schism, however, took shape in 1988, when Lefebvre decided to consecrate four new bishops. A decision described as a ‘schismatic act’ by Pope Saint John Paul II, for which the senior Lefebvrian prelates incurred the automatic excommunication provided for under canon law.

Monsignor Lefebvre died in 1991, but the fraternity’s activities continued. Pope Benedict XVI – who, as a cardinal in the 1980s, had unsuccessfully negotiated a possible reconciliation with the movement – opened up several avenues for reconciliation: first in 2007, with the decision to liberalise the Traditional Latin Mass, through the motu proprio “Summorum pontificum”.

Then, in 2009 – despite the fact that there were still ‘doctrinal issues to be resolved’ – he decided to lift the excommunications against the four bishops of the Fraternity.

Pope Francis has also, during his pontificate, sent out signals of dialogue. During the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy (2015–2016), he granted the priests of the SSPX the valid and lawful authority to hear confessions. This authority was subsequently extended on a permanent basis.

Provisions have also been made for the valid recognition of certain marriages solemnised by priests of the Fraternity with the authorisation of the competent ecclesiastical authority.

In recent months, following the announcement of the four new bishops, there has been a fresh exchange of views. “For the Church, this division is a painful issue, but they do not accept certain fundamental aspects of the Church, starting with some of the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. If they make this choice, I am sorry, but we must move forward,” Pope Leo XIV had commented in recent days, speaking to journalists at Castel Gandolfo.

Later that evening, the Society of St Pius X issued a response from its Superior General, Fr Davide Pagliarani, who thanked Provost for his ‘paternal concern’, but did not announce any change of course. “For some time now,” reads the text published on the fraternity’s website, “I have wished to have the opportunity to meet you, to express and convey to you personally our sincere desire to serve the Church. Unfortunately, the opportunity has not arisen,” writes Pagliarani.

‘I simply ask you to consider the sincerity of this intention, which is by no means feigned. Paradoxically, it seems to us to be our very duty, in the current context, to do everything possible to mend the robe of Christ, torn by forces and pressures incompatible with an authentically Catholic spirit. I ask you only to consider the sincerity of this intention, before making a decision regarding the Society of Saint Pius X. It is not too late,’ concludes the Superior General of the Society.

The following are due to be ordained as bishops: Don Pascal Schreiber, a Swiss national; Father Michael Goldade, a US national; Father Michel Poinsinet de Sivry, a French national; and Father Marc Hanappier, also a French national.

We are still waiting to see what will happen. The Society of Saint Pius X is active on five continents: it also has a branch of Religious Brothers and Oblate Sisters who assist the priests in the various communities.