The Vatican has taken an unprecedented step by excommunicating the entire membership body of the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) following a controversial consecration of bishops held in Geneva. Over 600,000 followers have been declared schismatic, the first time the Church has spread such a penalty to a whole lay cohort.

SSPX, founded in 1970 to resist Vatican II reforms, had six bishops. Three of these bishops unilaterally consecrated a new archbishop on Wednesday, ignoring a direct order from Pope Leo IV (crowned as Pope Leo XIV). In response, the Holy See announced that all six bishops were excommunicated and that every lay member of the SSPX would also be expelled from communion.

While cutting off the group from sacraments and official Church status, Vatican statements said those who want to return would be welcomed back with sincere affection. The measure underscores a clear boundary as Church leaders push back against splinter factions that continue to operate outside canonical authority.

SSPX adherents claim the hierarchy was following a tradition of elder priests who once had ties to the Roman Catholic Church in the 1980s. Meanwhile, the Church cites the need to preserve “true unity” and the integrity of sacraments after the unauthorized consecrations, which it declares invalid.

The decree signals a sharper stance on internal schisms than ever before. In an era where the Church is grappling with global visibility, these actions provide a hard line on autonomy that obeys the Holy See’s directives.