business
Breakaway Catholic group excommunicated after defying warnings from Pope Leo
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· July 2, 2026
· 3 min read
By Christopher Lamb, CNN
Rome (CNN) — The Vatican announced Thursday that priests and members of a breakaway Catholic group that ordained four new bishops in defiance of Pope Leo XIV’s wishes are in schism and excommunicated.
The Society of Saint Pius X, an ultra-traditionalist group, went ah...
Key takeaway The Society of Saint Pius X, an ultra-traditionalist group, went ahead with the ordinations on Wednesday without papal approval and despite appeals from Leo to reverse the decision.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The Vatican's decision to excommunicate the breakaway Catholic group, Society of Saint Pius X, may have implications for El Paso 's Catholic community. Although the story does not mention any local connections, the city's strong Catholic presence means that some residents may be affected by the ruling. Local Catholics who have been following the developments within the SSPX may be wondering how this decision will impact their relationships with friends and family members who are part of the breakaway group. Additionally, the Vatican's statement that any marriage or confession offered by the group will be considered "invalid" may raise questions for El Pasoans who have received sacraments from SSPX clergy. As the local Catholic community navigates this development, it will be important to watch how the Diocese of El Paso responds to the Vatican's ruling and whether it will provide guidance to local Catholics on how to proceed.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Christopher Lamb, CNN
Rome (CNN) — The Vatican announced Thursday that priests and members of a breakaway Catholic group that ordained four new bishops in defiance of Pope Leo XIV’s wishes are in schism and excommunicated.
The Society of Saint Pius X, an ultra-traditionalist group, went ah...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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