business
Pope issues last-ditch appeal, begs breakaway traditionalist group to back off bishop consecrations
By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· June 30, 2026
· 3 min read
Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday begged a breakaway group of traditionalist Catholics to call off its plan to consecrate new bishops without his consent, calling the move a schismatic act and a “sin of extreme gravity.”“I plead with you and ask you with all my heart: please turn back!” Leo wrote in a lett...
Key takeaway Davide Pagliarani, the superior of the Society of St.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
San Antonio 's sizable Catholic population is likely watching the developments between Pope Leo XIV and the Society of St. Pius X with great interest. The city is home to a significant number of traditionalist Catholics who prefer the old Latin Mass, and some may sympathize with the SSPX's stance. The local Catholic community has been actively engaged in discussions about church unity and the role of traditionalist groups within the church. The Archdiocese of San Antonio has worked to promote unity and understanding among its diverse congregations, and the current crisis may pose a challenge to these efforts. As the situation unfolds, local Catholics will be looking to their church leaders for guidance and reassurance, and the Archdiocese's response to the SSPX's actions will be closely watched. The outcome of this crisis may have implications for the local Catholic community, particularly in terms of how traditionalist groups are integrated into the broader church.
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: June 30, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday begged a breakaway group of traditionalist Catholics to call off its plan to consecrate new bishops without his consent, calling the move a schismatic act and a “sin of extreme gravity.”“I plead with you and ask you with all my heart: please turn back!” Leo wrote in a lett...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 30, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Nicole Winfield, 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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