Catholic Splinter Sect Hopes for Reconciliation with Future Pope

The Society of St. Pius X, a Catholic splinter group, once again found itself excommunicated earlier in the week. A priest from the group assured followers that reconciliation with the Church could happen under a different pope. This group, known for its ultra-conservative views, faced excommunication after ordaining four bishops without papal approval.

On Wednesday, without the consent of Pope Leo, the group ordained new bishops, leading to their automatic excommunication. The group remains unrepentant, claiming Pope Leo did not address their issues. Georg Kopf, a spokesperson for the group, expressed optimism that a future pope might welcome them back, recalling Pope Benedict XVI’s actions in 2009.

Based in Switzerland since its establishment in 1970, the group adheres to traditional Latin Mass and rejects formal dialogue with non-Catholics. They accuse the Church of straying from true faith. Historical tensions with the Vatican date back to the 1980s when founder Marcel Lefebvre consecrated bishops without approval, prompting excommunication. It took Pope Benedict XVI to lift this in 2009 to foster unity.

“We believe another pope like Benedict will restore tradition to its proper place,” Kopf mentioned during a mass in Wil, a Swiss town. Despite recent events, Kopf insisted that their actions were out of love for the Church and aimed at safeguarding souls, not to forge a parallel church or split from Rome.

The Vatican noted that it attempted dialogue with the group before the current schism, emphasizing that the ordination of bishops without Church consent is a severe act.