Official Decree:
Despite the warnings addressed to the Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X, Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta, having committed an act of a schismatic nature through the episcopal consecration of four priests, without a pontifical mandate and against the will of the Supreme Pontiff, has incurred ipso facto the penalties provided for in can. 1387 and can. 1364 § 1 of the CIC 2021.
I therefore declare, for all legal purposes, that both the aforementioned Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta and Pascal Schreiber, Michael Goldade, Michel Poinsinet de Sivry, and Marc Hanappier have incurred ipso facto the latae sententiae excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See.
I further declare that Bishop Bernard Fellay, having participated directly in the liturgical celebration as a co-consecrator, and having thereby publicly adhered to the schismatic act, has incurred the latae sententiae excommunication provided for in can. 1364 § 1 of the CIC 2021.
Clerics and the lay faithful are warned not to adhere to the schism of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X, as they would thereby incur ipso facto the penalty of latae sententiae excommunication.
From the Dicastery’s headquarters, July 2, 2026
Víctor M. Card. Fernández, Prefect
John J. Kennedy, Titular Archbishop of Ossero, Secretary for the Disciplinary Section
Mons. Armando Matteo, Secretary for the Doctrinal Section
Original Italian text:
https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_ddf_doc_20260702_decreto-scomunica-fsspx_it.html
________________________________________
Official Explanatory Note from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith
From the time of St. Paul VI up to the most recent discussions held at this Dicastery, the numerous attempts to bring the adherents of the movement founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre back into full communion with the Catholic Church have proved fruitless. This situation has further worsened due to the recent episcopal consecrations celebrated without a papal mandate, against the will of the Holy Father, in open violation of canon law. Therefore, this Dicastery, in the faithful exercise of the functions entrusted to it, deems it necessary to note that this act constitutes the crime of schism, with canonical consequences for the ordained ministers and lay faithful involved.
In fact, as already stated in 1988, “such disobedience—which entails a practical rejection of the Roman Primacy—constitutes a schismatic act” (cf. John Paul II, Apostolic Letter Ecclesia Dei, 3).
In this regard, from now on:
1. Sacred ministers belonging to the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X are in schism and must therefore be considered schismatics (cf. Ecclesia Dei, 5 c; Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, Explanatory Note on the Excommunication for Schism Incurred by Adherents to the Movement of Bishop Marcel Lefebvre, Aug. 24, 1996, 5–6), and are therefore subject to the excommunication prescribed by canon law (can. 1364 § 1 CIC).
2. As regards the lay faithful, those who formally adhere to the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X under the conditions established in the Explanatory Note of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts of 1996 (cf. ibid., 7), which remains in force and which this Dicastery endorses, are to be considered schismatic and excommunicated.
3. Finally, the holy People of God are hereby warned that the sacred ministers of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X administer the sacraments unlawfully and that the sacrament of penance administered by them and the marriages they officiate are invalid.
The Church, as a caring mother, will welcome with sincere affection and deep concern all those who wish to return to full communion. The Apostolic Nuncios will establish the procedures that the Ordinaries may use in various cases.
Finally, all the faithful are urged to remain firm in communion with the Roman Pontiff, with the bishops in communion with him, and with the entire Church (cf. Lumen Gentium, 22; can. 751 CIC), and to refrain from participating in the celebrations and activities promoted by the aforementioned Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X.
From the Dicastery’s headquarters, July 2, 2026
Víctor M. Card. Fernández, Prefect
Mons. Armando Matteo, Secretary for the Doctrinal Section
John J. Kennedy, Titular Archbishop of Ossero, Secretary for the Disciplinary Section
Original Italian text: https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_ddf_doc_20260702_nota-esplicativa-fsspx_it.html