Outside the Walls

The Vatican has declared that the bishops consecrated by the Society of Saint Pius X in Écône, together with Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta, have incurred latae sententiae excommunication following Wednesday’s episcopal consecrations. The decree also warns clergy and lay faithful against adhering to what it describes as the SSPX’s schism and outlines the canonical consequences for those who do so. The Vatican has declared that the bishops of the Society of Saint Pius X have excommunicated themselves. The day after the episcopal consecrations in Écône, which saw Fr Pascal Schreiber, Fr Michel Poinsinet de Sivry, Fr Marc Hanappier and Fr Michael Goldade consecrated as bishops, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith released a decree stating: “Notwithstanding the admonitions addressed to the Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X, Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta, having performed a schismatic act by means of the episcopal consecration of four priests, without pontifical mandate and against the will of the Supreme Pontiff, has incurred ipso facto the penalties provided for in can. 1387 and can. 1364 §1 CIC 2021.” Signed by Cardinal Fernández, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Mons. Armando Matteo, Secretary for the Doctrinal Section, and Archbishop John J. Kennedy, Secretary for the Disciplinary Section, the statement continues: “It is therefore declared, for all legal effects, that the aforementioned Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta, as well as Pascal Schreiber, Michael Goldade, Michel Poinsinet de Sivry, and Marc Hanappier, have incurred ipso facto the penalty of latae sententiae excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See.” The decree goes further than the excommunications declared in 1988 by stating that “clergy and lay faithful are admonished not to adhere to the schism of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X, lest they incur ipso facto the penalty of latae sententiae excommunication.” Therefore, SSPX faithful also face the possibility of incurring the excommunication declared by Rome. In this instance, the decree has been issued by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, whereas in 1988 the document was issued by the Congregation for Bishops. The explanatory note further advises against formal association with the Society among the faithful, stating: “Finally, all the faithful are exhorted to remain steadfast in communion with the Roman Pontiff, with the bishops in communion with him, and with the whole Church (cf. Lumen Gentium , 22; can. 751 CIC), and to abstain from participating in the celebrations and activities promoted by the aforementioned Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X.” The explanatory note also raises further questions for SSPX faithful by stating: “It is finally noted that the Holy People of God are informed that the sacred ministers of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X administer the sacraments and the sacrament of Penance illicitly, and that the marriages assisted by them are invalid.” This relates to the question of jurisdiction, under which confessions and marriages can only be validly and licitly celebrated if the bishop or ordinary has granted the necessary faculties. The explanatory note also reassures those who wish to be fully reconciled with the Church that they will be welcomed “with sincere affection and lively solicitude”. It further states that “the Apostolic Nunciatures will make available the procedures that the Ordinaries may use in the various cases.”

As the more than four-hour ceremony in which the Society of Saint Pius X consecrated four new bishops draws to a close, AdVaticanum is publishing excerpts from the sermon delivered by Fr Davide Pagliarani, Superior General of the Society of Saint Pius X The ceremony in which the Society of Saint Pius X consecrated four new bishops has taken place, lasting more than four hours. AdVaticanum can now release excerpts from the sermon delivered by the Superior General of the Society of Saint Pius X, Fr Davide Pagliarani. Fr Pagliarani presents the consecrations as a necessity rather than a choice, justified by what he described as the need to preserve and transmit the Faith. He also urged the four new bishops to remain steadfast and never to yield to “the spirit of the world” or adapt Catholic teaching to contemporary cultural pressures. At last, this day has arrived. A historic day. Why are we here? How should we understand these episcopal consecrations? This is a divisive event before which it is impossible to remain indifferent. What does it mean for us? This ceremony must be a manifestation of faith. We do not choose what we believe or do not believe. We cannot reinterpret or reconsider it. We simply have the duty to preserve the faith that the Church has always taught. We must love it, live it and hand it on. If we truly love Our Lord, we have the duty to share the treasures that come to us through the faith. Anyone who has no desire to transmit the faith shows that he himself is not living by faith. The more the faith is attacked and disappears, the more urgent this duty becomes. Without faith it is impossible to please God, to live well or to be saved. Today we are taking exceptional measures proportionate to this necessity. Some might therefore think we are facing a dilemma. We choose the fullness of the faith, but separate ourselves from the Church. We are choosing between faith and the Church. In preserving the faith, are we breaking with the Church? This is a false dilemma. We belong to the Church first of all through the faith, just as one belongs to a nation by sharing the same language, identity and culture, or to a family by bearing the same name and living in the same home. We belong to the Church because we profess the same faith. Therefore we cannot choose between faith and the Church. We want the faith of the Church in order to remain in the Church, and we want the Church through the faith and in the faith. It is important to understand this, even if those facing us refuse to do so. This is not an opinion, a preference or an option. It is a necessity. We are accused of not loving the Pope and of not respecting him. But it is precisely because we sincerely love the Pope as the Vicar of Christ and head of the Church that we no longer want to see him humiliated alongside false shepherds representing false religions. We have seen this happen so many times over the years. Because we love the Vicar of Christ, we no longer want this humiliation for the Pope, a humiliation that falls upon the whole Church, treating her as though she were on an equal footing with false religions. We have explained this countless times, almost in every language on earth. Yet why are we still not understood? At heart, we are speaking two different languages. We speak the language of faith. We want it in all its simplicity. It is the language of Tradition. Those on the other side speak another language altogether: the language of inclusion, listening, dialogue and accompaniment. We want the faith, and then within the faith we accompany people. We listen to them in order to lead them to the faith and convert them. But we must stop talking simply for the sake of talking, or accompanying for the sake of accompanying. That is not what souls need. Souls need Our Lord, and we reach Him through the full Catholic faith. There is only one faith. That is why there is this difficulty: two languages that continue to drift further apart over time. We live these consecrations in hope, not in tension, controversy, bitterness or resentment. We live them in joy and hope. In 1988 those who condemned the Society of Saint Pius X predicted its disappearance. God has not abandoned us and He will not do so. All these years have shown it, and these consecrations show it again. Why? Because God has only one will: to save souls. Whoever applies the principles that save souls is acting according to God’s own law. That is why, contrary to all human expectations, God sent His Son and asked Him to sacrifice Himself on the Cross. He will therefore never abandon us and will always provide means proportionate to our needs. The more we suffer, the more we struggle and strive to remain faithful, the more He is with us and makes His presence known. Above all, these consecrations must be understood and lived in a spirit of charity towards souls and especially towards the Church. The more souls are confused and disorientated, the more we must seek them out and support them. The more the Church is insulted, the more we must love and serve her. We must be ready to pay any price to serve the Church. The greatest sacrifice is to be treated as rebels when all we want is to serve and love the Church as a mother: a mother in difficulty, burdened, suffering and sometimes betrayed, a mother who needs and deserves our help in return for everything she has given us. Could we remain indifferent and do nothing? Could the Society? No. That would be to betray the Church. Today’s feast providentially expresses and summarises the meaning of these consecrations. It brings everything back to one point: the Precious Blood of Our Lord, the remedy for every evil of humanity. All evil comes from sin, and above all from one sin that has always remained the same: the exaltation of man. We are saturated with it. We are told that man is marvellous, perfect and possesses infinite dignity. All this feeds pride and, in time, contempt for God and silent apostasy. The more man is encouraged in this obsession with himself, the further he is led from God. Man, full of himself, refuses to turn towards God. He cannot recognise that he is wounded by sin and needs redemption through the Blood of Christ. This plague penetrates deeply, even into the Church. It blinds and paralyses souls. It is not this that brings souls back to God. Through these consecrations we wish to continue preaching the Precious Blood of Our Lord and continue pouring it out upon souls. It is in this Blood that Our Lord founded His Church, the New and Eternal Covenant. There is only one. Whoever believes there are several covenants no longer truly believes in the unique and infinite value of the Blood of Our Lord. Everything revolves around Our Lord because everything revolves around the faith. That is what you, future bishops, must preach. What a responsibility and what an honour. What advice can one give you? Your mission is so delicate, so important and so great that I would rather let Our Lord Himself speak through the Gospel: “Behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.” To be lambs means perfect docility and submission to the will of God, just as Our Lord was subject to the will of His Father. But never forget that the Lamb of God is also the Lion of Judah. As perfectly obedient as He is to the Father’s will, He never bows before the spirit of the world. To serve God is to come into conflict with that spirit. A bishop must proclaim the rights of Our Lord, not the rights of man. A lion does not retreat, nor does it bow. Never bow before the spirit of the world. Do not move. Do not retreat. These consecrations will give you an irresistible strength. From today, people throughout the world will watch you and listen to you. In thirty or forty years’ time they must be able to say: “They never bowed before the spirit of the world, but only before Our Lord the King.” That is the finest legacy you can leave. Our Lord also said: “Be simple as doves and prudent as serpents.” This is so that you may recognise the duplicity, ambiguity and cunning that exist in the world and among the enemies of the Cross. Your greatest enemies will not confront you openly. They will try to draw you gradually towards a more fashionable understanding of the Christian life and of the Church’s relationship with the world. When you sense that danger, step back, pray and remain still before reacting, like a serpent. Then, when you do act, act decisively—and never go back.

Without papal mandate, the Society of Saint Pius X has consecrated four new bishops in Écône The Society of Saint Pius X has consecrated four bishops without papal mandate. The event, announced in February this year, has seen more than 15,000 pilgrims arrive in Écône, Switzerland, at the Society’s international seminary. Bishop Pascal Schreiber (Switzerland), Bishop Michael Goldade (USA), Bishop Michel Poinsinet (France) and Bishop Marc Hanappier (France) were consecrated in a ceremony lasting more than three hours. The decision to consecrate bishops is justified by the Society as a “grave necessity”. With just two of the four bishops consecrated by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre in 1988 still alive, Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta and Bishop Bernard Fellay, the Society explains that “the two remaining bishops do not suffice for the task” and that “the SSPX must equip itself to continue its apostolate, thereby responding to the pastoral needs of the faithful”. The Society has grown considerably since it was established in 1970, with more than 750 priests, 264 men training for the priesthood and 145 lay brothers. There are also 88 SSPX nuns and 19 SSPX-affiliated religious communities. Across the world, the SSPX’s ministries in 77 countries comprise 17 districts with 184 priories. There are 798 Mass centres serving what is believed to be around one million “SSPX faithful”, those who regularly attend SSPX services. The Vatican, and Pope Leo himself, have repeatedly warned against the consecrations. Yesterday, on the eve of the event, in a letter dated 29 June, the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, Pope Leo wrote to Fr Davide Pagliarani, the SSPX Superior General, stating: “I plead with you and ask you with all my heart: please turn back!” Calling the consecrations a “schismatic act”, the Holy Father stated that “the Church is open to a path of dialogue and understanding that the Holy Spirit can make possible and fruitful.” Responding to the letter, Fr Davide Pagliarani spoke of the good the Society had done, noting the “thousands of souls who have rediscovered the Catholic Faith” and that the SSPX existed so that they might “attain salvation through this instrument which divine providence has placed at their disposal”. The priest concluded by asking the Holy Father to “please give us your blessing”. In today’s homily, Fr Davide Pagliarani explained that they were not carrying out the consecrations to separate themselves from the Church, but rather to assist the Church’s mission, adding that these bishops would in turn benefit the Church. The ceremony was carried out on the Feast of the Precious Blood, which, prior to the liturgical reforms of the 1960s, was celebrated separately from Corpus Christi on 1 July throughout the Church. The consecrations are carried out within the context of Holy Mass, beginning after the Gradual and, once concluded, the Mass continuing with the Gospel. At the beginning of the consecrations, the bishop’s duties are read to the candidates, explaining that “the bishop must judge, interpret, consecrate, ordain, offer, baptise and confirm.” A notable moment, which has been seen on only a couple of occasions over the past 50 years, was the bishops’ offertory procession. Here the bishops presented two loaves of bread, two candles and two barrels of wine emblazoned with their coats of arms, representing the three consumable elements used in the Holy Mass. The consecration of the bishops’ hands is similar to that used for priests, but the oil used is the Sacred Chrism rather than the Oil of Catechumens, referencing the kingly consecration of bishops. “May whatsoever you shall bless be blessed, whatsoever you may sanctify be sanctified, and may the imposition of your consecrated hands and your thumb contribute to the salvation of souls.” Just like any other sacrament, the consecration requires form and matter. At the end of the Litany of the Saints, the imposition of hands constitutes the matter of the sacrament. Here, the Gospels are placed upon the bishops-elect’s shoulders, resting on their head, where they remain until the giving of the bishop’s ring. The consecratory Preface then concludes with the form by which the priests become bishops. The ceremony that follows is almost exactly the same as that standardised in the Rite of Consecration of a Bishop following the Council of Trent. After the consecration, Holy Mass resumed. The newly consecrated Bishops received the Body of Christ from the same, larger, Host and the Precious Blood from the same chalice.

Fr Davide Pagliarani has responded to Pope Leo’s letter regarding the Society of Saint Pius X’s planned episcopal consecrations but stopped short of saying whether the fraternity intends to suspend the ceremony. Responding to the Pope’s personal letter, published by the Vatican on 30 June, the Superior General of the Society thanked the Holy Father […] Fr Davide Pagliarani has responded to Pope Leo’s letter regarding the Society of Saint Pius X’s planned episcopal consecrations but stopped short of saying whether the fraternity intends to suspend the ceremony. Responding to the Pope’s personal letter, published by the Vatican on 30 June, the Superior General of the Society thanked the Holy Father for his “paternal solicitude” before appealing for more time and asking him not to make a final decision concerning the fraternity. “Thank you very much for the letter that Your Holiness so kindly addressed to me. I have been deeply touched by Your paternal solicitude,” Fr Pagliarani wrote. He said he had long hoped to meet Pope Leo personally to explain the Society’s position. “For a long time, I had hoped to have the opportunity of meeting You in person, in order to express to You directly our sincere desire to serve the Church. Unfortunately, that opportunity has not presented itself,” he said. Fr Pagliarani insisted the Society’s intentions towards Rome remained genuine, adding: “I ask only that You consider the sincerity of this intention, which is in no way feigned.” He argued that, in the Society’s view, its actions were aimed at preserving rather than damaging the unity of the Church. “Paradoxically, in the present circumstances, we believe it to be our very duty to do everything possible to mend Christ’s seamless garment, torn by forces and pressures incompatible with a truly Catholic spirit. I ask only that You consider the authenticity of this intention before making a decision concerning the Society of Saint Pius X. It is not yet too late.” The Superior General also rejected any suggestion that the Society wished to break communion with Rome, writing: “Far be it from us to separate ourselves from the Roman Church. We desire, on the contrary, to serve her by means that are extraordinary, as one would assist a mother in distress who requires particular help, even if such help is not understood by everyone. Yet I am certain that the Holy Father could understand it.” Rather than announcing whether the planned episcopal consecrations would proceed, Fr Pagliarani instead urged Pope Leo to delay any judgement, writing: “The Holy See has shown itself capable of understanding very complex situations and of allowing time for discernment. “May I therefore filially ask Your Holiness to take the time necessary for that discernment.” The Society’s Superior General also pointed to the history of relations between the Holy See and the fraternity following the episcopal consecrations carried out by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre in 1988. “First, in 1988 the Society was already declared schismatic, for reasons and in circumstances entirely analogous to those of today. Yet, after so many years, we are speaking together as a father and his son.” He continued: “Your Holiness is paternally urging me to avoid a schism which, theoretically, has already taken place. Does not Your very attitude—whose paternal concern I deeply appreciate—constitute proof that the Society is neither schismatic nor hostile to the Church?” Fr Pagliarani also referred to the late Bishop Vitus Huonder, the former Bishop of Chur, and Bishop Athanasius Schneider, Auxiliary Bishop of Astana, both of whom he said had engaged with the Society on behalf of the Holy See. Fr Davide Pagliarani also referred to the late Bishop Vitus Huonder, the former Bishop of Chur, and Bishop Athanasius Schneider, Auxiliary Bishop of Astana, both of whom he said had engaged with the Society on behalf of the Holy See. “Both, after taking the necessary time for discernment, recognised the profoundly Catholic spirit of the Society and bore public witness to it.” Appealing on behalf of the Society’s faithful, Fr Pagliarani wrote that “thousands of souls” had rediscovered the Catholic faith through the fraternity’s apostolate. “These souls have but one desire: to attain salvation through this instrument which Divine Providence has placed at their disposal. They have suffered, and they are sincere.” He added that he believed Pope Leo’s “paternal heart as universal Shepherd will be moved by this very particular situation”, expressing confidence that “one day, all the difficulties between the Holy See and the Society will be resolved.” The letter concluded with a direct appeal to the Pope to allow the consecrations to proceed: “A gesture of understanding on Your part, far from harming unity, could only manifest before the world and before all Christians Your concern for unity and Your goodness as a father. “I leave all this to Your consideration. I renew my prayers for Your Holiness.” Fr Pagliarani ended by referring to his prayers to St Rita, writing: “For a long time, even before Your election, I have been praying to Saint Rita for the present situation. I saw in the election of an Augustinian Pope a sign of hope. I am certain that the Saint will intercede. It is never too late.” The Society’s letter came hours after Pope Leo XIV issued an unprecedented public appeal urging the fraternity to abandon its plans to consecrate bishops without a pontifical mandate. Writing “with a paternal heart”, the Pope praised members of the Society for their “devotion to liturgical life, commitment to priestly formation, apostolic zeal and desire for fidelity to Tradition”, adding that these qualities had inspired the “attentive and generous attitude” shown by his predecessors. The Pope nevertheless warned that proceeding with the ceremony would amount to “a schismatic act” and made a personal plea to the Society. He wrote: “In this spirit, and filled with Christian affection, I plead with you and ask you with all my heart: please turn back!” The Pontiff also warned of the consequences for the faithful attached to the Society, writing: “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.” While reaffirming that “the Church is open to a path of dialogue and understanding that the Holy Spirit can make possible and fruitful”, Pope Leo concluded with a final appeal: “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.” The Vatican published the Pope’s letter on 30 June, the eve of the consecrations due to take place at the Society’s international seminary at Écône.

The SSPX has reacted to Pope Leo XIV’s final plea not to proceed with tomorrow’s episcopal consecrations at Écône, with priests and faithful telling AdVaticanum the appeal will not change the Society’s plans. Read the full story Pope Leo XIV has made a final appeal, a day before the consecrations, to the Society of Saint Pius X not to proceed with its planned episcopal consecrations. The Pope’s letter, dated 29 June, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, was published by the Vatican on 30 June, the eve of the consecrations due to take place at Écône, Switzerland. It was addressed to Fr Davide Pagliarani, the Superior General of the SSPX, and, through him, to the society’s bishops, priests, seminarians and faithful. It warned that the ceremony would constitute a “schismatic act” and urged the SSPX to “please turn back”. Writing “with a paternal heart”, Leo acknowledged the qualities he said had characterised many within the society, praising their “devotion to liturgical life, commitment to priestly formation, apostolic zeal and desire for fidelity to Tradition”. He added that these qualities had motivated the “attentive and generous attitude” consistently shown to the fraternity by his predecessors. The Pope nevertheless made a direct plea for the society to abandon its plans. “In this spirit, and filled with Christian affection, I plead with you and ask you with all my heart: please turn back!” His Holiness wrote. “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,” His Holiness continued. Leo also stressed that the Holy See remained willing to continue discussions with the fraternity. “The Church is open to a path of dialogue and understanding that the Holy Spirit can make possible and fruitful,” the Pope wrote. Concluding the letter, the Pope warned of the seriousness of the proposed consecrations, writing: “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.” He concluded: “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.” The letter is the latest intervention by the Holy See as it attempts to prevent the society from proceeding with the consecrations without a pontifical mandate. On 13 May, the Vatican warned that the planned consecrations would constitute a schismatic act and said that the bishops carrying out the ceremony, together with those receiving episcopal ordination, would incur automatic excommunication. Pope Leo subsequently confirmed on 16 June, outside Castel Gandolfo, that the Holy See was preparing a final appeal to the SSPX, warning that the proposed consecrations risked creating a new schism within the Church. The situation recalls 30 June 1988, when Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre consecrated four bishops at Écône without the approval of Pope St John Paul II. The Vatican declared the act schismatic, and Lefebvre, Bishop Antônio de Castro Mayer and the four newly consecrated bishops incurred automatic excommunication. Although Pope Benedict XVI lifted the excommunications of the surviving bishops in 2009 as part of efforts to encourage reconciliation, the SSPX has remained without canonical status in the Church. The society had not publicly responded to the Pope’s letter at the time of publication. However, reporting from Écône suggests that many priests and lay faithful have reacted strongly to the letter. Sources within the SSPX, speaking both on and off the record, have highlighted what they perceive as a lack of genuine doctrinal resolution and a continuation of past perceived betrayals. Brother Gabriel of the SSPX in the United States told AdVaticanum that the letter would not change anything, stating: “I don’t agree with that [letter from Leo].” A priest of the Society stationed in Asia, speaking to AdVaticanum strictly off the record, dismissed the papal letter in blunt terms. “This was complete nonsense,” he said. He added that the letter failed to address the core theological and liturgical concerns that have defined the SSPX for decades. Another Society priest said: “Far from offering any meaningful path forward, this letter sidesteps the real issues.” A French priest of the Society offered an even sharper critique, framing the letter as a belated and inadequate gesture. “It is a little too late for reconciliation after the betrayal of the Holy Father,” he remarked. He continued: “After years of ambiguities and a steady erosion of doctrine under the guise of ‘dialogue’, this won’t change anything.” An American priest of the Society described the letter as largely ineffective and expressed a measured note of spiritual concern for the Pope. “It was useless,” he said plainly, “and I pray for the Holy Father.” Jim Piante, a longtime lay supporter of the Society of Saint Pius X from the Charlotte area of North Carolina, offered a direct and unapologetic assessment of Pope Leo’s recent letter urging the Society not to proceed with the 1 July episcopal consecrations. Speaking personally and not on behalf of the Society or his parish of Saint Anthony in Mount Holly, Piante noted that the letter itself acknowledges the Society’s fidelity to Tradition, devotion to the Faith and robust liturgical life. “What is it that makes this a quote-unquote schismatic act?” he asked. “Only that Pope Leo does not grant authorisation.” In his view, the entire controversy would evaporate if the Holy Father simply recognised the worthiness of the men chosen for consecration, who have “proven themselves as genuinely Catholic in every way”. Piante argued that authorisation would resolve the matter instantly, highlighting what he sees as the letter’s failure to address the real pastoral needs of the Church. Regarding the possibility of excommunication extending beyond the bishops and priests to the lay faithful who attend SSPX chapels, Piante remained resolute and unmoved. “I would do the same thing tomorrow that I did today. Nothing different,” he stated firmly. He emphasised that his primary duty as a Catholic layman is not to resolve the institutional problems of the Church but “to save my soul and the souls of my wife and my children, and all those whom I can potentially influence.” Marie Flick, a parishioner at a Society of Saint Pius X church in Kansas City, Missouri, described the atmosphere ahead of the 1 July episcopal consecrations as vibrant and full of hope. When asked about the prolonged negotiations with Rome and Pope Leo’s recent letter urging the Society to reconsider the consecrations, Flick expressed disappointment. She pointed out that talks had dragged on since February with little progress and questioned why the Holy Father had not met personally with the Society’s Superior General. She said: “The Pope could have met with the SSPX, just like he met with the head of the Anglican bishops, the Archbishop of Canterbury. He’s been very open about meeting with other figures as well. Why not be open to meeting with the head of the SSPX? That’s just my opinion.” Despite being released at around 11 a.m. on 30 June, the letter was intentionally dated the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, 29 June. This is understood to signal the authority with which the Pontiff issued his appeal, noting in the text that he has a “paternal” “duty”, as “the Successor of the Apostle Peter”, and possesses “authority received from Christ”. It is understood that this was intended as a signal to the SSPX of the Pope’s willingness to exercise his pontifical authority if the Society proceeds with the consecrations, while also implicitly calling for its obedience to him as Supreme Pontiff. The letter’s opening praise for the Society’s fidelity and apostolic work also appears to express a willingness to pursue reconciliation. It is notable that the text implies that, at present, the Society possesses licit and valid sacraments, which would be jeopardised if the consecrations were to proceed. Despite stating that there remains within the Church a “path of dialogue and understanding”, the letter offers no further indication of how the two parties might be reconciled beyond cancelling the consecrations, which Leo describes as a “sin of extreme gravity”.