Defying Pope Leo XIV and risking schism, traditionalists go ahead with Latin Mass consecrations

A breakaway group of traditionalist Catholics directly defied Pope Leo XIV by consecrating four bishops without his consent on Wednesday.

ECONE, Switzerland — A breakaway group of traditionalist Catholics directly defied Pope Leo XIV by consecrating four bishops without his consent Wednesday, dismissing the resulting excommunications and schism by declaring it was a “sacred duty” to defend the Catholic faith.

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The Society of St. Pius X, which opposes the modernizing reforms of the Catholic Church, went ahead with the consecrations at its seminary in Econe, Switzerland, despite a last-ditch appeal by Leo to call it off. The American pope warned that consecrating bishops without his approval amounts to a “sin of extreme gravity” that will actually harm their faithful.

And yet bells tolled through the mountain valley as hundreds of priests processed to the altar under a tent at the start of the solemn but celebratory service, which was attended by thousands of faithful Catholics who prefer the traditional Latin Mass over modern liturgies.