business
Vatican declares Society of St. Pius X in schism, excommunicates bishops and invalidates sacraments
By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 2, 2026
· 4 min read
The Vatican responded aggressively Thursday to a traditionalist society that consecrated bishops without the pope’s consent, declaring the Society of St. Pius X in schism, excommunicating its bishops and priests and warning its faithful they too face the harshest sanctions in the Catholic Church....
Key takeaway Pius X in schism, excommunicating its bishops and priests and warning its faithful they too face the harshest sanctions in the Catholic Church.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The Vatican's declaration of the Society of St. Pius X as being in schism may have implications for San Antonio 's Catholic community, where traditionalist groups have a presence. Local Catholics who attend Latin Masses or have sympathies with the SSPX's views on modernizing reforms may be affected by the Vatican's warning to stop attending the society's Masses. The invalidation of sacraments administered by SSPX priests could also impact local faithful who have received confession or marriage sacraments from these priests. San Antonio's Catholic leaders will likely be watching how this development plays out and providing guidance to local parishioners who may be confused or concerned about the Vatican's decree. The city's rich Catholic heritage and diverse community of faith may be shaped by this significant rift within the global Catholic Church. Local Catholics may be looking to their parish priests and bishops for clarity on what this means for their spiritual lives.
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 2, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The Vatican responded aggressively Thursday to a traditionalist society that consecrated bishops without the pope’s consent, declaring the Society of St. Pius X in schism, excommunicating its bishops and priests and warning its faithful they too face the harshest sanctions in the Catholic Church....
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 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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