business
Defying Pope Leo XIV, traditionalists go ahead with bishop consecrations in Switzerland
By Nicole Winfield And Jamey Keaten, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 1, 2026
· 6 min read
A group of traditionalist Catholics directly defied Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday by consecrating four bishops without his consent, dismissing the resulting excommunications and saying the break with the church was necessary to defend the Catholic faith.The Society of St. Pius X, which opposes modern...
Key takeaway It now has six bishops, 751 priests, 264 seminarians training in five seminaries, 145 religious brothers, 88 oblates and 250 religious sisters representing 50 nationalities, according to SSPX statistics.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The defiance of Pope Leo XIV by the traditionalist Catholics has significant implications for the San Antonio community, where the Catholic faith has a strong presence. The city is home to a large number of Catholics who may be affected by the potential schism and excommunication resulting from the consecration of bishops without papal consent. Local Catholic leaders will likely be watching the situation closely, as it may impact the unity of the Catholic Church in San Antonio. The traditional Latin Mass has a dedicated following in the city, and some parishioners may be drawn to the Society of St. Pius X's stance on defending the Catholic faith. As the situation unfolds, San Antonio Catholics may be forced to take sides, potentially leading to divisions within local parishes and the broader Catholic community. The Archdiocese of San Antonio may need to address the issue and provide guidance to local Catholics on how to navigate this complex and sensitive situation.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A group of traditionalist Catholics directly defied Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday by consecrating four bishops without his consent, dismissing the resulting excommunications and saying the break with the church was necessary to defend the Catholic faith.The Society of St. Pius X, which opposes modern...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Nicole Winfield And Jamey Keaten, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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