Carmen Álvarez Cuadrado
It's now official: the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has formally excommunicated the four new bishops of the Society of St. Pius X, who were ordained without a papal mandate. The same penalty also applies to the two bishops who participated in the ceremony.
GFX
This situation has been further aggravated by the recent episcopal consecrations celebrated without a papal mandate, against the will of the Holy Father, in open violation of canon law. In light of these circumstances, the Dicastery deems it necessary to note that this act constitutes the crime of schism, with the canonical consequences for the ordained ministers and lay faithful involved.
One question has dominated the discussion: what happens now to the priests and the lay faithful? The Dicastery has now provided an answer.
As for the faithful, those who continue to formally adhere to the Society are considered to be in schism and are therefore excommunicated.
But what happens with the sacraments? What happens if someone goes to confession with a priest from the Society? Or wishes to get married?
GFX
The holy People of God are hereby warned that if the sacred ministers of the Society of St. Pius X administer the sacraments unlawfully, then the sacrament of penance administered by them and marriages solemnized by them are invalid.
The Dicastery also urges the faithful not to take part in the Society’s celebrations or activities, and makes clear that the path back to full communion with the Church remains open to all.
