“Please Turn Back”: Leo’s Plea to Group Planning Schism

How do Catholics go into schism from a Church that no longer teaches the Faith once delivered to the saints, like the Synodal Church? 

From Aleteia

By Kathleen N. Hattrup

On the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, Pope Leo addressed a personal letter to the leader of the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X, which is planning a schismatic act on July 1.

The Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X (FSSPX or SSPX) is planning an unauthorized ordination of bishops on July 1, which is “a schismatic act.” The pope has to approve the ordination of bishops, who are the successors of the apostles.

On June 30, 1988, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, the founder of the FSSPX, illicitly consecrated four bishops in Écône, Switzerland, against the will of Rome. All the participating bishops incurred excommunication. In an attempt to bring about reconciliation, Benedict XVI lifted that excommunication some decades afterward.

Now, the group plans a new set of ordinations without papal approval.

Follow the history of this situation below. Most recently, on June 24, the group wrote an open letter to the Pope.

Now, Pope Leo, on the feast of two great patrons of Church unity, Sts. Peter and Paul, wrote a personal letter to the current leader of the SSPX.

The full text of the Pope's letter is below:

~

LETTER OF POPE LEO XIV
TO THE REVEREND DAVIDE PAGLIARANI
SUPERIOR GENERAL
OF THE PRIESTLY FRATERNITY OF SAINT PIUS X

With a paternal heart, and aware of the responsibility entrusted to me by the Lord as the Successor of the Apostle Peter, I address you and, through you, the bishops, priests, seminarians and faithful connected to the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X.

The Church recognizes the devotion to liturgical life, commitment to priestly formation, apostolic zeal and desire for fidelity to Tradition that characterize many people and communities connected to your Fraternity. This has motivated the attentive and generous attitude that my Predecessors have consistently shown to you.

In this spirit, and filled with Christian affection, I plead with you and ask you with all my heart: please turn back! I urge you to consider carefully the spiritual good of the faithful, because the schismatic act you are about to undertake would deprive them of the licit and, in some cases, even valid reception of the Sacraments, which they love and seek for their sanctification.

The Church is open to a path of dialogue and understanding that the Holy Spirit can make possible and fruitful.

I pray for you, because to tear the seamless garment of Christ is a sin of extreme gravity. May the Lord enlighten your consciences and awaken your hearts. With a sorrowful yet hopeful heart, I feel it is my duty, through the authority received from Christ, to ask you to desist from your intended act. I entrust these intentions to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Good Counsel.

From the Vatican, 29 June 2026

Solemnity of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul

LEO PP. XIV