The prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Víctor Manuel “Tucho” Fernández, published on this May 13 —feast of Our Lady of Fatima— a statement on the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X (FSSPX), reiterating that the episcopal consecrations announced by the Fraternity without pontifical mandate would constitute “a schismatic act”.
The note, officially disseminated by the Vatican, expressly cites the motu proprio Ecclesia Dei of Saint John Paul II, published after the episcopal consecrations carried out by Monsignor Marcel Lefebvre in 1988.
The Declaration of the Dicastery
The statement indicates that the future episcopal ordinations announced by the FSSPX “do not have the corresponding pontifical mandate” and recalls the canonical consequences foreseen by the Church for this type of acts.
Furthermore, the text states that Pope Leo XIV continues to pray that the leaders of the Fraternity reconsider the decision taken.
Full Text of the Declaration
Declaration of His Eminence Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith
“In relation to the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X, what has already been communicated is reaffirmed.
The episcopal ordinations announced by the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X do not have the corresponding pontifical mandate. This act will constitute ‘a schismatic act’ (John Paul II, Ecclesia Dei, n. 3) and ‘formal adherence to the schism constitutes a grave offense against God and entails the excommunication established by the law of the Church’ (ibid., 5c; cf. Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, Explanatory Note, August 24, 1996).
The Holy Father continues in his prayers asking the Holy Spirit to enlighten the leaders of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X so that they may turn back from the most serious decision they have taken.”
Vatican, May 13, 2026.