BREAKING the SSPX Files an Official Canonical Appeal to the Vatican in Response to their Excommunication Decree

The traditionalist group Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX), has announced that it has officially filed an appeal to the decree of excommunication issued by the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith on July 2, 2026. This was in response to the Society’s consecration of four new bishops without a papal mandate and contrary to the directives of Pope Leo XIV.Since they are evoking the Code of Canon Law, the SSPX says the filing suspends the decree while the excommunication is under review.

The Society is employing the 1983 Code of Canon Law in their canonical appeal. The Italian website Messain Latino (MiL) noted: “From reading the communiqué, we are pleased to note that—at long last—the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X appears to acknowledge the continuing force of the 1983 Code of Canon Law, which constituted the fifth point of the Protocol of Agreement between the Holy See and the SSPX, signed on 5 May 1988 by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger and Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, and repudiated by the latter the following day.”

MiL explained that “this apparent and welcome recognition may mark the first step toward a constructive dialogue between the Holy See and the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X.”

The following is the official statement from the SSPX.

Press release from the General House: The Fraternity files an appeal against the decree of July 2, 2026
Press release of July 13, 2026
The Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X informs that, in response to the decree published on July 2, 2026 by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, it filed a preliminary appeal on July 11 with the same Dicastery, in accordance with canons 1734 and following of the Code of Canon Law.

This step, which is the required prerequisite before the possible introduction of a hierarchical appeal, has the effect of suspending the execution of the decree, in accordance with canon 1353 of the Code of Canon Law.

Through this appeal, the Fraternity intends to exercise the right that the Church recognizes for any person who considers themselves wronged by an administrative act to request its rectification, in a spirit of respect for ecclesiastical authority and faithful attachment to justice, truth and the good of the Church.

The Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X places this request in the hands of the competent authorities and entrusts this process to the prayers of all the faithful.

Menzingen, July 13, 2026