Vatican takes stand against rebel order
The Vatican has warned a rebel ultra-traditionalist order, the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX), not to go ahead with plans to ordain new priests this month.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Vatican said if the ordinations of 21 new priests in Switzerland, Germany and the United States went ahead, the order could incur sanctions.
The statement said disciplinary questions regarding the SSPX “remained open”, a clear warning that if the ordinations are carried out they will have repercussions on negotiations to bring the traditionalists fully back into the Church.
SSPX was recently in the headlines when the pope decided to lift the excommunications of four of its bishops – including a Holocaust denier – and start a dialogue aimed at full re-integration of the rebels.
Some Catholic bishops have urged the Vatican to warn the SSPX not to go through with the ordinations, which they see as an attempt to challenge Vatican authority.
The traditionalists have no official function as bishops and therefore should not use their episcopal privileges without Vatican permission.
The ordinations are planned for June 19 and 27.
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