A priest from the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX), a traditionalist Catholic movement recently excommunicated by the Vatican, declared on Sunday that he was convinced a future pope would eventually reintegrate the group into the Catholic Church. This statement was made during a Mass celebrated in Wil, in northeastern Switzerland.
“One day, another pope will open the door and welcome us back. Just like Pope Benedict XVI,” Father Georg Kopf told the congregation. According to him, the current rift with Rome is not permanent and could be resolved under a future pontificate.
The Society of Saint Pius X was excommunicated after ordaining four bishops without the authorization of Pope Leo XIV. The movement expressed no regret after this decision, maintaining that the pontiff had disregarded its doctrinal concerns.
Founded in 1970 by the French archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, the Society of Saint Pius X is based in Switzerland but has members in many countries. The movement defends a traditional practice of Catholicism, celebrates Mass in Latin according to the old rite, and notably rejects institutional dialogue with other Christian denominations and non-Christian religions.
This crisis is reminiscent of a historical precedent. In the late 1980s, Marcel Lefebvre also consecrated four bishops without the Pope's approval, leading to his excommunication. This excommunication was ultimately lifted in 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI as part of a rapprochement with the movement.
Despite the new break with the Vatican, the leaders of the Society of Saint Pius X express their hope that a future pope will resume dialogue and eventually allow their return to the Catholic Church.
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