By Archdiocese of Miami -
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July 2026 - Archdiocese of Miami
On July 1, 2026, after proper warnings and communications from the Holy See, the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X (SSPX) proceeded with the ordination of bishops without the mandate of the Holy Father. The next day, the Dicastery of the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) issued a decree and explanatory note that the actions on the part of SSPX constituted a delict of schism which has an attached penalty, namely the “latae sententiae” excommunication.
Who is Excommunicated and Who is Not?
Those who are excommunicated:
- All clergy of SSPX (bishops, priests, and deacons);
- Lay Faithful who are part of the Third Order of the SSPX;
- Lay Faithful who habitually participate in the celebrations of the SSPX, formally sharing its doctrinal positions.
Those who are not excommunicated:
- Lay Faithful who attended the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X only for liturgical or spiritual reasons;
- Lay Faithful who, while aware of the tensions with the Holy See, do not reject the Magisterium or the authority of the Roman Pontiff.
Sacraments:
The Holy See also declared that the Sacraments of Marriage and Confession received through SSPX are no longer considered valid for the members of the Catholic Church.
Remedies:
The Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith provided guidelines on receiving back those who wish to return to the Catholic Church and be freed from excommunication:
Bishops: they need to contact the Holy See directly.
Priests and Deacons: need to find a willing Ordinary to accept them and follow the process designed by DDF via local diocese.
Lay Faithful excommunicated: removal of excommunication is done via Chancery.
- Lay persons seeking reunion with the Catholic Church need to find a parish they intend to become parishioners.
- The pastor of this parish needs to contact the Chancery (305 762 1220) to receive two documents: 1). Profession of Faith and 2). Formula of Adhesion.
- After these documents are signed and dated by the lay faithful, the documents are submitted to the Chancery for the approval of the Ordinary.
- After the approval is granted, the pastor who submitted these documents on behalf of the Lay Faithful seeking reunion with the Catholic Church, will be instructed to arrange in their parish a ceremony using the Rite of Admission to Full Communion of the Catholic Church of Those Already Validly Baptized.
Lay Faithful not excommunicated but seeking spiritual peace: It is sufficient that they present themselves to a Catholic priest in full communion with the decision not to attend SSPX in the future. It can be done via an appointment, in spiritual direction, or confession. Nothing further is required from the lay person or the priest.
Other Provisions
For those seeking an
opportunity to attend Latin Mass, the Archdiocese of Miami offers the ministry
of the Fraternity of Saint Peter (FSSP), which is in union with the Holy
See. The Masses are celebrated in Our
Lady of Belen Chapel on Sundays at 10 a.m.; and the chapel of Our Lady of Mercy
Cemetery on weekdays at 7:30 a.m. (https://latinmassmiami.org/mass-times)
