Supporters of the traditional Latin Mass are distancing themselves from the Society of St Pius X after the group announced plans to consecrate bishops without papal approval – a move that could trigger excommunications.
Speaking at a 12 February symposium at London’s Oratory Church, founded by St John Henry Newman, Latin Mass Society chairman Joseph Shaw warned that mainstream Latin Mass Catholics risk being “lumped together” with the SSPX.
Founded in 1970 by French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, the SSPX rejects aspects of the Second Vatican Council and previously sparked a 1988 crisis when St John Paul II declared Lefebvre excommunicated after illicit episcopal ordinations.
The dispute unfolds as Catholics await possible changes to restrictions imposed by Pope Francis in his 2021 apostolic letter “Traditionis Custodes.” Dominican Father Dominic White said most Latin Mass faithful are not schismatic, urging dialogue – not division – as tensions over liturgy continue across the Church.
“Catholic teaching and tradition have been founded on debate within the Church, in which the Holy Spirit has been present – when positions are taken in some postmodern way, in silos, and people are unwilling to listen, this is neither Catholic nor charitable. If the Church is truly universal, it should provide room for variation,” he said.
