business
Defying Pope Leo XIV, traditionalists go ahead with bishop consecrations in Switzerland
By Nicole Winfield And Jamey Keaten, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio
· 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 Terrell Hills News
The defiance of Pope Leo XIV by the traditionalist Catholics has significant implications for the local Catholic community in Terrell Hills . While the consecration ceremony took place in Switzerland, the repercussions will be felt by Catholics in the San Antonio area, where traditionalist groups have a presence. The Society of St. Pius X has a history of attracting faithful Catholics who prefer the traditional Latin Mass, and it is likely that some locals will be drawn to their cause. As the Catholic Church navigates this potential schism, local Catholics will be watching to see how their own church leaders respond to the situation. The Archdiocese of San Antonio may need to address the concerns of traditionalist Catholics in the area, while also maintaining unity with the broader Catholic Church. The situation will likely lead to a renewed discussion about the role of tradition in the Catholic Church, and how it can be balanced with the need for unity and authority.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio . Terrell Hills News 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 KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio ·
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 KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio and curated for Terrell Hills News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Nicole Winfield And Jamey Keaten, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio. To learn more about how Terrell Hills News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from Terrell Hills News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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