Toronto Catholics Appeal for Mediation in SSPX Dispute

In Toronto, over 140 Catholics have reached out to their archbishop, Cardinal Frank Leo, seeking intervention in the mounting conflict between the Vatican and the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX). The SSPX, a dissident ultraconservative priestly society, is planning to ordain four priests as bishops on July 1 without the approval of Pope Leo XIV. The Vatican has warned that these actions could lead to excommunication from the Church.

Recently, a group of Catholics delivered a letter to Cardinal Leo supporting SSPX’s planned consecrations. They urged him to mediate with the pope and back what they call a request for “paternal approval.” This appeal was described by the group as made “in a spirit of charity and pastoral concern.” According to José LoMonaco, an organizer of the letter with his wife, the consecrations are vital “to preserve the Tradition.” LoMonaco told Newsweek, “Traditional bishops are needed to ordain traditional priests in the traditional Roman rite. The SSPX currently has two bishops nearing their 70s. Without bishops, the SSPX cannot continue. That’s why we support the decision to consecrate new bishops.” As Toronto’s archbishop, Cardinal Leo manages the Catholics who signed the letter and, as a part of the College of Cardinals, has direct access to the pope.

What Does the Letter Say?

The signatories identify themselves as “faithful Catholics based in Toronto, joined by a deep love for the Holy, Catholic, Apostolic and Roman Church.” LoMonaco mentioned that while none of the signatories are SSPX members, “most are attendees of SSPX chapels in the Greater Toronto Area.” The group expressed alignment with a Declaration of Catholic Faith recently given to Pope Leo by SSPX Superior General Father Davide Pagliarani.

The teachings in the declaration are described as “the living foundation of our interior desire for sanctification through the unbroken deposit of Tradition.” The Catholics see their letter as both a profession of faith and an appeal to Church authorities. In their letter, they wrote, “We respectfully present this letter as a personal testimony of our Catholic faith and as a filial plea,” urging the Holy See to “grant its paternal approval to the upcoming episcopal consecrations.” Neither the Vatican nor Cardinal Leo has publicly replied to the letter, though Newsweek has reached out to the Archdiocese of Toronto and the Holy See Press Office for comment.

SSPX Affirms Its Stance on Consecrations

On Wednesday, the SSPX revealed the names of the priests it intends to consecrate as bishops: Father Michael Goldade (United States), Father Pascal Schreiber (Switzerland), Father Michel Poinsinet de Sivry (France), and Father Marc Hanappier (France). About two weeks before the announcement, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, the Vatican’s head of discipline, warned the fraternity that proceeding with these unapproved consecrations would be “a schismatic act”—a severe breach—with the papacy and “a grave offense against God,” requiring excommunication.

Fernández wrote in his letter, “The episcopal ordinations announced by the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X do not have the corresponding pontifical mandate. This action will constitute ‘a schismatic act,’ and ‘formal adherence to the schism constitutes a grave offense against God and entails the excommunication established by the law of the Church.'” The SSPX quickly reaffirmed its plan, stating in a response letter that its members would “rather die than renounce” their principles.

Pagliarani noted in his letter that SSPX has cautioned the Vatican for over 50 years about modernist “errors that are destroying Catholic faith and morals.” He expressed regret that the only reaction has “seemed to be canonical sanctions.”

Historical Context of SSPX and Vatican Tensions

The conflict between Rome and the SSPX dates back more than 50 years. The society was established in 1970 by French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre opposing reforms brought by the Second Vatican Council, including changes to the liturgy and the Church’s approach to relations with other faiths.

The divide worsened in 1988 when Lefebvre consecrated four bishops without papal consent, prompting the Vatican to declare the act schismatic and impose excommunications. Although some penal actions were later lifted, the SSPX remains in an irregular canonical situation within the Catholic Church.

While the SSPX acknowledges the pope and accepts much of Catholic doctrine, it often clashes with Rome over perceived deviations from traditional beliefs. The fraternity has criticized the Vatican’s 2023 declaration, Fiducia Supplicans, which allowed nonliturgical blessings for individuals in same-sex relationships and other “irregular” situations. The SSPX condemned the document, arguing these blessings blurr Catholic moral teachings.

Successive popes have attempted to reconcile with the society, but differences over the Second Vatican Council, Church authority, and modern pastoral reforms continue to hinder a lasting resolution.