Pope Leo Blasts Bishop Ordinations as a 'Sin of Extreme Gravity' in His First Big Test as Pontiff

Pope Leo XIV warns of “sin of extreme gravity” as the breakaway Society of Saint Pius X defies his authority, ordaining four bishops in Écône — a move that triggers automatic excommunication and marks the first major rupture of his papacy. (Credit: Screenshot from YouTube/ROME REPORTS in English)

Pope Leo XIV warned a breakaway traditionalist sect that consecrating bishops without his consent would be a 'sin of extreme gravity'. The Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) went ahead anyway, ordaining four new bishops in Switzerland on Wednesday.

The ceremony, held at the society's seminary in Écône, triggers automatic excommunication for all five clergy involved under Catholic church law. It is the most serious rupture of Pope Leo's papacy so far, arriving just over a year after his election and directly challenging the unity he has made his defining priority.