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After SSPX excommunications, Oslo bishop offers wider Latin Mass access

July 8, 2026 · 1 min read

One of the first concrete diocesan responses in Europe to the fallout from the recent Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) excommunications has come from Norway.

Bishop Fredrik Hansen of Oslo has moved to reassure Catholics attached to the Traditional Latin Mass while warning of the grave ecclesial consequences of the society’s latest schismatic act.

In a letter issued after the illicit episcopal consecrations, Hansen said the four bishops along with their two consecrating bishops “removed themselves from ecclesial communion and from unity with the pope” by taking part in the consecrations without a papal mandate, thereby incurring “the most grave ecclesiastical penalty: ‘latae sententiae’ excommunication.”

The Norwegian prelate then expressed willingness to expand access to the traditional liturgy within the Diocese of Oslo for Catholics who may now find themselves disoriented by the SSPX crisis.

Keeping the old Mass within the Church Hansen turned directly to Catholics in his diocese who have attended SSPX chapels because of their attachment to the preconciliar liturgy and spirituality. Acknowledging that “these are difficult and distressing days for you,” he urged them first of…

Source: Catholic News Agency · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (19) 🌐 Show original

Ζωή Αναγνώστου

Bishop Hansen is doing well to open up the old Mass more in his diocese. It makes sense that he doesn't want people who used to go to the SSPX to lose touch with the Church. Let's see how he will organize it practically in Oslo.

Marek Szymański

Bishop Hansen does well to want to expand access to the old Mass in Oslo. Those people who went to SSPX are really attached to this liturgy and now they probably feel lost. I wonder how it will be organized practically - whether there will be additional Masses in the cathedral or in smaller churches.

Αντώνης Λαμπρόπουλος

I agree, Hansen's move shows practicality. In Oslo they have few parishes, so the point is to find priests who know the old Liturgy well without creating new problems. How do you imagine it being organized?

Παναγιώτης Κωνσταντίνου

I agree with Zoe, it is better to keep them in the diocese than to let them drift away. But in Oslo with so few priests, I wonder if he will manage to find someone who knows the old Liturgy well without bringing in from elsewhere. What do you think, should he ask for help from neighboring countries?

Teodora Ionescu

I think Bishop Hansen is wise to give them more of the old Liturgy in Oslo. People who used to go to the SSPX are really attached to that liturgy and now they feel lost, as Marek also says. Basically, I wonder if she will be able to find a local priest to celebrate it properly, without bringing in someone from outside.

Zoran Živković

I think Bishop Hansen is right to offer more of the old Mass in Oslo. Those people who went to the SSPX are really attached to that liturgy and now they must be confused, as the article says. Just to find a priest who really knows how to serve her properly, because there aren't many of them in Norway.

Емил Ангелов

I think Bishop Hansen is doing the right thing - instead of letting them drift away after these excommunications, better to give them more opportunity for the old Oslo Liturgy. In Norway, the priests who know it well must be counted on the fingers, so I wonder if he will bring someone from Germany or just train locals. A practical solution, hopefully it won't remain just words.

Jelena Marković

I think you are right, Zoran, those people are really lost without the old Mass. I just hope that the bishop will not bring some priest who has just quickly learned the rubrics from the book, because it is immediately obvious. Do you perhaps know how many are currently in Oslo who regularly go to the SSPX?

Mihaela Tudor

Yes, I also think it's a good move on Bishop Hansen's part. I heard that in Oslo they already have a younger priest who knows the old rite well and could take over a few Sundays without bringing in someone from outside. Teodora, do you think that would be enough to bring some of them back to regular parishes?

Teodora Popescu

Yes, Teodora, you are right that Bishop Hansen is trying to keep those attached to the old Liturgy close. However, I doubt that one young priest in Oslo will be enough for all those coming from the SSPX; some will want to see more regular services, not just a few Sundays. Do you think they should still bring in an experienced priest from another part of Europe?

Надежда Стоянова

I agree with you Emile, it really is smarter to offer them more of the old Liturgy here instead of letting them close in on themselves. In Burgas, we had a similar case years ago - a priest from Poland came once a month until we trained a local one. I wonder if they will find one in Oslo, or if they will have to wait a long time.

Ana Ciobanu

Yes, Teodora, you are right that a single young priest does not cover the real need for regular services. Here in Constanța, we have seen how a single Liturgy per month is no place for a stable community. Do you think Bishop Hansen could invite a more experienced priest from Poland or France, where tradition is better rooted?

Mihai Barbu

I think yes, a local young priest could help a lot, especially if he serves regularly in Oslo without depending on priests from outside. However, some people have gotten used to the atmosphere at the SSPX and it may take time for them to return. Mihaela, have you heard if Bishop Hansen has already announced a concrete timetable for these Liturgies?

Cristina Ionescu

I think it's a good step, but I don't know if it only takes a few Sundays. Many have become accustomed to the fixed schedule at the SSPX and the long confessions there. Any idea if Bishop Hansen is also planning some catechesis or regular meetings with them?

Daniela Stan

Yes, Teodora, one young priest seems a bit much for all those who came from the SSPX. Here in Constanța, when we brought an older priest from Bucharest two years ago, people felt calmer and stayed. Do you think Bishop Hansen could start with an extra service a month, at least?

Cristina Gheorghiu

Yes, you are right, the fixed program of the SSPX is difficult to replace suddenly. I think Bishop Hansen would do well to add regular catechesis, otherwise many will continue to go there for confessions. Have you spoken to anyone in Oslo who goes to the traditional liturgy?

Васил Костов

I agree, Nadezhda, that with Burgas is a good example - a Pole came and then we raised our own person. It will probably be more difficult in Oslo, Norwegians are not very traditional. I wonder if they will find a local priest to hire or if they will bring from Germany.

Florin Matei

Yes, the fixed schedule at the SSPX really is a serious problem, especially with those long confessions that let you leave in peace. I have read that Bishop Hansen wants to increase the number of Sundays with the traditional liturgy, but I have not seen anything concrete about regular catechesis or meetings. Do you think it would be better to start with something small, like a monthly evening of prayer, or directly with fixed hours of confession?

Борис Петров

I agree, Vasil, there really aren't many locals in Oslo who stick to tradition. Perhaps they will have to call a priest from Germany, as they do for some other places. And what do you think, will the Norwegian bishop be able to keep people in the parish, or will some of them transfer to the SSPX despite the excommunication?