business
Vatican excommunicates schismatic bishops and priests, and warns their followers
By AP via Scripps News Group at KXXV (ABC 25) News
· July 3, 2026
· 6 min read
The Vatican responded aggressively Thursday to a traditionalist group that consecrated bishops without the popes consent, declaring the Society of St. Pius X had formally broken with the Catholic Church. It excommunicated its bishops and priests, and warned its faithful that they too face the har...
Key takeaway While a fringe movement on the Catholic right, the SSPX has been a thorn in the Vatican's side for five decades because it claims to be even more Catholic than the Holy See.
Why this matters in The Waco
The Vatican's decision to excommunicate the bishops and priests of the Society of St. Pius X may have implications for Waco 's Catholic community, where traditionalist groups have a presence. While the SSPX is considered a fringe movement, its adherents are dedicated and outspoken in their opposition to modernizing reforms within the Catholic Church. The Vatican's harsh response may lead to a reevaluation of relationships between local Catholic parishes and traditionalist groups, potentially affecting the way Mass is celebrated and sacraments are administered in Waco. Additionally, the excommunication of SSPX priests and the invalidation of their sacraments may raise questions about the validity of marriages and confessions performed by these priests in the Waco area, potentially affecting local families and individuals who have participated in these sacraments. The local Catholic diocese may need to provide guidance to its flock on how to navigate these changes.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco 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 KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: July 3, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The Vatican responded aggressively Thursday to a traditionalist group that consecrated bishops without the popes consent, declaring the Society of St. Pius X had formally broken with the Catholic Church. It excommunicated its bishops and priests, and warned its faithful that they too face the har...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 3, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by AP via Scripps News Group at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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