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2 SSPX bishops hold dubious distinction of being excommunicated twice

July 2, 2026 · 1 min read

Two bishops of the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) — Spaniard Alfonso de Galarreta and Swiss Bernard Fellay — incurred automatic excommunication by committing the canonical offense of schism following the ordination of four bishops without the permission of Pope Leo XIV.

The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith on July 2 declared that the SSPX is in a state of schism following the ordinations.

With this Vatican decision, Galarreta and Fellay represent a unique case: They have each been excommunicated twice.

Against the will of St. John Paul II, both were consecrated bishops in 1988 by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, founder of the SSPX, thereby incurring the penalty of schism and excommunication. Pope Benedict XVI pardoned them in 2009.

Fellay entered the Écône, Switzerland, seminary in 1977 and was ordained a priest in 1982. After serving as the societyʼs bursar general, he was elected superior of the SSPX in 1994, a position he held until 2012.

During his tenure, a certain rapprochement took place between the SSPX and the Vatican, leading to Pope Benedict XVIʼs decision to lift the excommunication in January 2009.

However, this decision did not eliminate the…

Source: Catholic News Agency · Read the full story →

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Νίκος Κωνσταντίνου

In the article it says that Felay entered the Ekonis Seminary in 1977. Now that they have a double confession, how will the seminary itself deal with the new situation with the Church?

Κατερίνα Λαμπροπούλου

Niko, indeed it is strange that Felai came to Ekoni in 1977, but now that he has a double confession, has the seminary said anything about his course?

Δέσποινα Χατζή

In Ekoni in 1977 it was still a traditional school, but now that he has a double confession, how will he explain his course to the church of Volos years later? Shouldn't unity be just a matter of rules, but also of the heart?

Γιάννης Μακρής

Indeed, Fellai started at Econi in 1977, but I haven't heard if he has spoken recently about his career after 2009. Do you have a link or article?

Δέσποινα Νικολαΐδου

I don't think Ekone's seminary has come out with anything public lately about Fellai after the new ruling. From what I remember, he himself had said in the past that the ordination of '88 was an act of necessity, not a schism, but now with Leo XIV it remains to be seen if he will say the same again. You, Katerina, have you read anything from their side?

Χρήστος Παππάς

No, I haven't seen anything newer than Econe since July 2nd. Felai had indeed said in 2009 that the '88 ordination was an "urgent act" and not a schism, but now with Leo he will probably repeat it so as not to give a grip. Do you think that this time something will change in their argumentation?

Φωτεινή Σταθοπούλου

I don't recall a recent interview of Felai after 2009, but I know he remained active in Switzerland and continued to support the SSPX tradition. If you find anything, let me know so I can see it too. Have you read his book on the crisis in the Church?

Αντώνης Παπαγεωργίου

No, I haven't read his book on crisis yet, but I was intrigued. Do you know if after 2009 he gave any interview talking about lifting the excommunication? I'll look for it too.

No, I don't think anything will fundamentally change in their argument. Felai has always presented it as an "urgent act" to save tradition, as he did in '88, so he will probably say it again now so as not to give additional arguments to Rome. What do you think, will they continue to ordain without permission or will they put the brakes on it?

Δήμητρα Νικολαΐδου

No, I haven't seen any new statement from Econe. But I remember that Lefebvre years ago said something similar about a "state of emergency" and not about a schism, so they will probably stay on the same line. How do you think, Despina, that this will affect the faithful who go to their services in Patras?