business
Defying Pope Leo XIV, traditionalists go ahead with bishop consecrations in Switzerland
By Nicole Winfield And Jamey Keaten, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 1, 2026
· 6 min read
A group of traditionalist Catholics directly defied Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday by consecrating four bishops without his consent, dismissing the resulting excommunications and saying the break with the church was necessary to defend the Catholic faith.The Society of St. Pius X, which opposes modern...
Key takeaway It now has six bishops, 751 priests, 264 seminarians training in five seminaries, 145 religious brothers, 88 oblates and 250 religious sisters representing 50 nationalities, according to SSPX statistics.
Why this matters in The Piney Point
The defiance of Pope Leo XIV by the traditionalist Catholics has significant implications for the local Catholic community in Piney Point Village . While the consecration ceremony took place in Switzerland, the repercussions will be felt by Catholics in the Houston area, where the traditional Latin Mass has a dedicated following. The Society of St. Pius X has a presence in the region, and local Catholics who prefer the traditional liturgy may be drawn to their cause. The potential for schism and excommunication raises questions about the unity of the local Catholic community and how it will be affected by this breakaway group. As the situation unfolds, it will be worth watching how local Catholic leaders respond to the consecrations and whether they will take a stance on the issue, potentially affecting the relationships between different Catholic groups in the area.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Piney Point 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 KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A group of traditionalist Catholics directly defied Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday by consecrating four bishops without his consent, dismissing the resulting excommunications and saying the break with the church was necessary to defend the Catholic faith.The Society of St. Pius X, which opposes modern...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Piney Point readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Nicole Winfield And Jamey Keaten, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Piney Point selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The Piney Point, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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