From 1962 to 2026: Here's an overview of the interactions between the Holy See and Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre and his followers, a history of failed dialogue.
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On February 2, 2026, the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X (also known as the Society of Saint Pius X, SSPX) announced its intention to proceed with new episcopal ordinations without the Pope's consent, 38 years after those celebrated by its founder, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, which led to his excommunication. This decision, which has sparked a new crisis between Rome and the traditionalist movement, is part of more than half a century of confrontation, which we trace for you here in chronological order.
The Second Vatican Council and the origins of the Society of Saint Pius X
October 11, 1962: Pope John XXIII opens the Second Vatican Council, in which Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre participates as Superior General of the Spiritans. During the debates, the archbishop joins a pressure group, Coetus Internationalis Patrum, which brings together conservative members, a minority who are trying to oppose certain directions taken by the Council.
December 4, 1963:Pope Paul VI promulgates the conciliar constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium, which profoundly reforms the Catholic liturgy.
November 21, 1964: Paul VI promulgates the conciliar constitution Lumen Gentium on the status of the Catholic Church. Archbishop Lefebvre had intervened during the debates to oppose the principle of collegiality in the Church and the powers granted to episcopal conferences.
October 28, 1965: Paul VI promulgates the declaration Nostra Aetate on the Catholic Church's relations with other religions. Archbishop Lefebvre strongly opposed it.
December 7, 1965: Paul VI promulgates the declaration Dignitatis Humanae, which affirms religious freedom. Archbishop Lefebvre intervened several times to denounce the core of this text, which he considered a break with the magisterium of previous popes.
December 8, 1965: Paul VI officially closes the Second Vatican Council. Despite his positions, Archbishop Lefebvre signed all the conciliar documents and didn’t show any clear opposition in the first years following the Council.
The Second Vatican Council
Leemage via AFP
Post-conciliar years
October 29, 1968: During the General Chapter of the Spiritans, Archbishop Lefebvre is replaced by Father Joseph Lécuyer and is completely removed from the leadership of the order. He is deeply affected by this decision and finds himself without a position of leadership.
April 3, 1969: Promulgation of the New Roman Missal. Archbishop Lefebvre participates with the Dominican Michel Guérard des Lauriers in the drafting of the “Brief Critical Study of the New Ordo Missae” addressed to Pope Paul VI and signed by Cardinals Alfredo Ottaviani and Antonio Bacci. This text, published on June 5, directly criticizes the new missal and would later become one of the pillars of Lefebvrist action.
November 1, 1970: The Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X (FSSPX), a “pious union”—an association of priests—is founded by Archbishop Lefebvre. Its statutes are approved by the Bishop of Geneva, François Charrière. The association's goal is to protect priestly traditions from the consequences of the Second Vatican Council. They adopt the pre-conciliar liturgical form as the reform comes into effect.
A first break
1971: The Fraternity is recognized by the Congregation for the Clergy. Opening of the Saint Pius X Seminary, the first of the FSSPX, in Écône (Switzerland). The seminary becomes a bastion against “modernist drift.”
September 22, 1974: Foundation of the Sisters of the Society of Saint Pius X, the female branch of the movement, led by Archbishop Lefebvre's sister.
November 11, 1974: An apostolic visit to the FSSPX is ordered by Paul VI. It is led by the Belgians Archbishop Albert Descamps (secretary of the Pontifical Biblical Commission) and Archbishop Willy Onclin (canonist in charge of drafting the new Code of Canon Law). The visit causes considerable tension.
November 21, 1974: Archbishop Lefebvre publishes a declaration in which he affirms his categorical rejection of the conciliar reform. Rome will demand a retraction but will not obtain it. The text of this declaration subsequently becomes one of the founding acts of the FSSPX.
May 6, 1975: In response to Archbishop Lefebvre's declaration, the Bishop of Geneva, Pierre Mamie, withdraws the authorization granted by his predecessor. Archbishop Lefebvre appeals to the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, but his appeal is dismissed.
June 1976: Archbishop Lefebvre ordains 13 priests despite Rome's refusal.
July 29, 1976: Archbishop Lefebvre is suspended a divinis—prohibited from administering the sacraments—by Paul VI.
August 4, 1976: In an interview with Le Figaro, Archbishop Lefebvre declares the Council “schismatic” and announces his refusal to submit to Rome’s judgment.
August 29, 1976: Archbishop Lefebvre celebrates the “Lille Mass” in a hangar in front of several thousand people. During the highly publicized event, he openly criticizes the Second Vatican Council and asks Paul VI to “restore the true Mass.” He insists that he will continue despite the risk of sanctions from Rome.
Meetings with Popes Paul VI and John Paul II
September 11, 1976: Archbishop Lefebvre is received in an audience by Paul VI at Castel Gandolfo. The pope firmly orders him to publicly retract his statements and submit to the discipline of the Church.
February 27, 1977: The Church of Saint-Nicolas-du-Chardonnet in Paris is illegally occupied by supporters of the SSPX. The situation continues to this day.
November 18, 1978: Shortly after his election, John Paul II receives Archbishop Lefebvre for a very brief meeting in Rome. Lefebvrist circles are optimistic following this meeting.
January 10-12, 1979: The bishop of Écône is heard by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
January 12, 1979: Archbishop Lefebvre sends a letter to Pope John Paul II protesting his trial by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, claiming to have been subjected to “17 series of questions asked twice over three hours by five interrogators accompanied by a secretary, forbidden to have a single witness.”
Dialogue with Cardinal Ratzinger
July 20, 1983: Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, sends a letter to Archbishop Lefebvre establishing the limits of acceptable criticism of the Second Vatican Council.
October 3, 1984: John Paul II authorizes the publication of the letter Quattuor abhinc annos, liberalizing the celebration of the pre-conciliar Mass. It is seen as a gesture towards traditionalist Catholics.
1986: John Paul II participates in the first interreligious meeting in Assisi, a gesture that Archbishop Lefebvre heavily criticizes. That same year, the Polish pope establishes a commission of cardinals to set standards favorable to the old Mass, which will specify that it was never abolished or prohibited by Paul VI.
June 29, 1987: Archbishop Lefebvre, whose health is failing, announces his intention to consecrate bishops without Rome's consent.
October 17, 1987: Cardinal Ratzinger began discussions with Archbishop Lefebvre to prevent a schism and received him in Rome with the agreement of Pope John Paul II.
November 11, 1987: Cardinal Édouard Gagnon, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, began an apostolic visit at the request of Pope John Paul II. The aim is to reflect on the conditions that would bring an end to the conflict between the FSSPX and the Holy See. The visit lasts less than a week.
May 5, 1988: Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger receives Archbishop Lefebvre in Rome on May 4 and 5. At the end of their meeting, the two men sign a memorandum of understanding in which Archbishop Lefebvre accepts certain conditions imposed by Rome, notably full obedience to the pope. The plan provides for the creation of a Society of Apostolic Life, the creation of a commission including members of the FSSPX, and the ordination of a bishop. The Fraternity must also return the parish of Saint-Nicolas-du-Chardonnet.
Archbishop Lefebvre changes his mind again
May 6, 1988: In a letter to Cardinal Ratzinger, Archbishop Lefebvre recants and announces that he intends to celebrate three episcopal ordinations in June. He threatens to renege on the agreement signed the day before, demanding that members of the Fraternity constitute a majority within the commission. After consulting with John Paul II, Cardinal Ratzinger sends a letter on May 30 asking Archbishop Lefebvre to postpone the episcopal consecrations until August 15 and to respect the document signed on May 5.
June 2, 1988: Archbishop Lefebvre announces in a letter to Pope John Paul II that he considers that the authorization granted for a single episcopal ordination on August 15 allows him to legitimately celebrate several episcopal ordinations on June 28.
June 9, 1988: John Paul II sends a letter to Archbishop Lefebvre ordering him to renounce the episcopal ordinations and to respect the memorandum of understanding signed on May 5.
June 17, 1988: Cardinal Bernardin Gantin, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, warns Archbishop Lefebvre of the risk of excommunication if he celebrates the episcopal ordinations on June 30.
The ordination causes a schism
June 19, 1988: In a communiqué, Archbishop Lefebvre announces that he is breaking off dialogue with Rome.
June 29, 1988: On behalf of John Paul II, Cardinal Ratzinger asks Archbishop Lefebvre to come to Rome and not to proceed with the episcopal ordinations.
June 30, 1988: Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, assisted by Brazilian Bishop Antônio de Castro Mayer, illegally consecrates four bishops in Écône: Bishop Alfonso Ruiz de Galarreta, Bishop Bernard Fellay, Bishop Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, and Bishop Richard Nelson Williamson. The Holy See issues a statement announcing that all participants are de facto excommunicated.
Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, one of the bishops illicitly ordained by Archbishop Lefebvre
Jerzy Szałaciński | Te Deum
July 1, 1988: Cardinal Gantin issues a decree declaring that Archbishop Lefebvre, Bishop de Castro Mayer, and the four ordained bishops are excommunicated.
July 2, 1988: John Paul II creates the Ecclesia Dei Commission to welcome former members of the FSSPX who broke with Archbishop Lefebvre after the episcopal ordinations. He denounces the schism caused by Archbishop Lefebvre.
July 18, 1988: The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter is founded by former members of the Society of St. Pius X.
After Archbishop Lefebvre
March 25, 1991: Archbishop Lefebvre dies at the age of 85.
July 1994: Bishop Bernard Fellay is elected superior of the Society of Saint Pius X. He distinguishes himself from his predecessor by his desire not to appear schismatic.
December 30, 2000: On the occasion of the Great Jubilee of 2000, John Paul II receives Bishop Fellay. The latter agrees to continue the dialogue on two conditions: authorization for all priests worldwide to celebrate the Tridentine Mass, and the lifting of censorship against the bishops of the FSSPX.
Dialogue with Benedict XVI and gestures of openness
August 29, 2005: Shortly after the election of Benedict XVI, Bishop Fellay is received by the German pope. At the end of the audience, the bishop acknowledges progress.
2006: Foundation of the Institute of the Good Shepherd by former members of the Society of Saint Pius X, which is immediately recognized by Rome.
July 7, 2007: Benedict XVI publishes the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum, which liberalizes the “extraordinary form” of the Roman rite. The Society shows little enthusiasm, believing that they are still being asked to approve the Council.
December 15, 2008: Bishop Fellay writes to Benedict XVI asking him to lift the excommunications.
Bishop Bernard Fellay of Switzerland delivers his sermon during an ordination mass of the Fraternal Society of St Pius X in Econe, western Switzerland on June 29, 2009.
January 21, 2009: Benedict XVI lifts the excommunications by decree, a decision that does not resolve the problem of the FSSPX's lack of canonical status. A controversy erupts over the case of Bishop Williamson when Holocaust-denying remarks he made a few months earlier are revealed. He will be expelled from the Society in 2012.
2009-2011: Meetings between leaders of the FSSPX and the Holy See are held behind closed doors until April 2011. They do not result in any compromise.
September 14, 2011: Cardinal Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, meets with Bishop Fellay and proposes a canonical status for the FSSPX, a text similar to the 1998 protocol. The SSPX does not accept the proposal.
Pastoral provisions by Pope Francis
March 17, 2015: The FSSPX is recognized as an association of the faithful under diocesan law in Buenos Aires, the former archdiocese of Pope Francis.
March 20, 2015: After ordaining a new bishop, Bishop Williamson, expelled from the Society, is once again excommunicated by the Catholic Church.
September 1, 2015: On the occasion of the Jubilee of Mercy, Pope Francis, in the bull of indiction, extends the faculty of hearing confessions to all priests of the Society of Saint Pius X.
November 21, 2016: At the end of the Jubilee of Mercy, Pope Francis extends sine die the faculty of FSSPX priests to hear confessions.
March 27, 2017: The Pope authorizes Cardinal Müller, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, to publish a letter allowing FSSPX priests, with the authorization of the local bishop, to celebrate marriages.
July 11, 2018: Father Davide Pagliarani is elected the new Superior General of the FSSPX. In previous years, Bishop Fellay's desire to pursue a rapprochement with Rome had been a source of tension within the community.
Photo of Fr. Davide Pagliarani, current head of the FSSPX
Screen capture @FSSPXFR provided by I.MEDIA
November 22, 2018: Father Pagliarani is received by the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Luis Ladaria Ferrer. The latter insists on the doctrinal nature of the disagreement and invites a resumption of theological discussion.
January 17, 2019: The Ecclesia Dei Commission is abolished by Pope Francis, and its activities are transferred in their entirety to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Towards a new crisis?
October 8, 2024: Bishop Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, ordained by Archbishop Lefebvre, dies.
January 29, 2025: Death of Bishop Williamson, who no longer belongs to the FSSPX.
August 19-21, 2025: 7,200 members of the FSSPX participate in a pilgrimage to Rome organized on the occasion of the Jubilee.
Members of the FSSPX on their pilgrimage in Rome in 2025
FSSPX Italia
February 2, 2026: Father Davide Pagliarani announces his decision to entrust the bishops of the Society with the consecration of new bishops on July 1 of the same year.
February 3, 2026: The Holy See announces its desire to avoid a new schism.
February 12, 2026: Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, receives Father Pagliarani. At the end of the meeting, the Holy See announces that it has proposed a path of dialogue to the FSSPX, with the condition that episcopal consecrations be suspended. The FSSPX announces that it will take time to reflect and declares that it has requested an audience with the Pope.
February 18, 2026: FSSPX responds, saying it will go ahead with ordinations.
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