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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Angela Giuffrida in Rome

Fears of Catholic schism as defiant sect ordains ultra-conservative bishops

Four men in ornate white and gold vestments lie prostrate on the floor during a religious ceremony
The four bishops ordained without Vatican approval prostrate themselves during the Society of Saint Pius X ceremony on Wednesday. Photograph: Cyril Zingaro/EPA

A rebel group of ultra-conservative Catholics has defied Pope Leo by ordaining bishops without his consent, which they declared a “sacred duty” despite it causing their automatic excommunication.

In a ritual-filled ceremony on Wednesday, streamed live from the Swiss village of Ecône, the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) went ahead with the consecrations of four bishops, one from Switzerland, one from France and two from the US.

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