Chronicle: Rome Issues Canonical Warning ... 1988 vs 2026

JMJ

At this time the only indication of a Rome (Cdl Fernandez / Pope Leo 14) issuing a Canonical Warning to the SSPX is a press release (link).

For comparison, I have attached the 1988 version. Perhaps they (Rome) will issue a formal warning as the date of the consecrations draws nearer. I really want to see the canons they cite.

P^3

2026

Statement of His Eminence Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith

May 13, 2026

Regarding the Society of Saint Pius X, what has already been communicated is hereby reaffirmed. The episcopal ordinations announced by the Society of Saint Pius X do not have the corresponding pontifical mandate. This act will constitute "a schismatic act" (John Paul II, Ecclesia Dei, n. 3), and "formal adherence to the schism constitutes a grave offense against God and carries with it the excommunication established by the law of the Church" (ibid., 5c; cf. Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, Explanatory Note, August 24, 1996).

The Holy Father continues in his prayers to ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten those responsible in the Society of Saint Pius X, so that they may reconsider the gravely serious decision they have made.

From the Vatican, May 13, 2026

1988

June 17, 1988

Canonical Warning

Congregation for Bishops to His Excellency Archbishop

Marcel Lefebvre, Archbishop-Bishop Emeritus of Tulle

Since on June 15, 198874 you stated that you intended to ordain four priests to the episcopate without having obtained the mandate of the Supreme Pontiff as required by Canon 1013 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law, I myself convey to you this public canonical warning, confirming that if you should carry out your intention as stated above, you yourself and also the bishops ordained by you shall incur ipso facto excommunication latæ sententiæ reserved to the Apostolic See in accordance with Canon 1382. I therefore entreat and beseech you in the name of Jesus Christ to weigh carefully what you are about to undertake against the laws of sacred discipline, and the very grave consequences resulting therefrom for the communion of the Catholic Church, of which you are a bishop.

Given at Rome, from the Office of the Congregation for Bishops, June 17, 1988.

By Mandate of the Supreme Pontiff,

Bernardin Card. Gantin

Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops

74. At a press conference held at Ecône.

Source: https://sspxasia.com/Documents/Archbishop-Lefebvre/Archbishop_Lefebvre_and_the_Vatican/Part_I/1988-06-17.htm

I also wrote a post on this topic that can be found below:

https://tradicat.blogspot.com/2015/07/a-look-back-cardinal-lara-and-sspx.html

References

https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2026/05/13/260513d.html

https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2026/05/13/vatican-says-sspx-faces-excommunications-for-schismatic-bishop-consecrations/

https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2026/05/vatican-issues-final-warning-to-breakaway-traditionalist-sspx

https://dianemontagna.substack.com/p/vatican-issues-formal-warning-over

https://fsspx.news/en/news/declaration-catholic-faith-addressed-pope-leo-xiv-59110

https://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2026/05/sspx-superior-published-declaration-of.html

https://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2026/05/new-vatican-declaration-on-sspx.html

https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/world/vatican-issues-final-warning-to-breakaway-traditionalist-group-attached-to-the-old-latin-mass/article_f40ae257-0dc4-558d-9708-34c6f248f7b5.html

The Catholic Church and the Rule of Law- Part II: Dr. John Lamont

+ JMJ This is the second article from Dr. Lamont from his lecture given in May 2014. P^3 Source Part A: Society of St. Hugh of Cluny Source Part B: Society of St. Hugh of Cluny 8 May2014 The Catholic Church and the Rule of Law- Part II By John Lamont To understand how the Jesuit conception of obedience departed from earlier conceptions, it is helpful to compare it with the teaching of St. Thomas on obedience. The fundamental difference between the two is that St. Thomas considers the proper object of obedience to be the precept of the superior (2a2ae q. 104 a. 2 co., ad 3). Obedience that seeks to forestall the expressed will of the superior does not bear on what the superior wants or thinks in general, but only on what the superior intends to command. St. Ignatius’s lowest degree of obedience, which he does not consider to be virtuous, is thus what St. Thomas considers to be the only form of obedience. St. Thomas holds that St. Ignatius’s alleged higher forms of o...

The Catholic Church and the Rule of Law – Part I: Dr. John Lamont

+ JMJ Is a Traditional Catholic who abandons the doctrine of the Catholic Church - are they truly worthy of the name of Catholic? This is why it is important to understand Catholic Doctrine so we don't knowingly abandon it! This is a lecture provided by Dr. Lamont that touches on the topic of obedience. Obedience is one key to emerging from this crisis. P^3 Source Part A: Society of St. Hugh of Cluny Source Part B: Society of St. Hugh of Cluny 8 May 2014 The Catholic Church and the Rule of Law – Part I By John Lamont (Lecture given in New York on Friday, April 4, 2014)

Open Letter to Cardinal Gantin - July 6, 1988

There has been some discussion (read lots) about the term 'Conciliar Church'. I have posted this letter written by the Superior General and District Superiors of the SSPX after the 1988 Consecrations. Of particular interest is that the 'Conciliar Church' being referred to as a system. My paraphrase would be that the SSPX regards the 'conciliar Church' as an error within the Church. Source Open Letter to Cardinal Gantin Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops

Morning and Evening and other sundry Prayers

+ JMJ Along the theme of P^3 (Prayer, Penance, Patience), and for my own reference ... here is a collection of Morning and Evening prayers from the Ideal Daily Missal along with some additional prayers. In this crisis of the Church, I do not think it is possible to do too much prayer, penance and have patience. P^3

Tradicat

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