Chicago pope with a baseball bat

a) IT'S OFFICIALLY A SCHISM!!!

b) Excommunications for EVERYBODY!!! Not just the consecrators/consecrated!

Not just official members of the society, either, but anyone who formally adheres to them:

https://www.ncronline.org/vatican-declares-sspx-bishops-priests-schismatic-says-lay-faithful-risk-excommunication

Though the statement did not define what constitutes formal adherence to the schism for laypeople, it explicitly upheld a 1996 note from the then-Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, which said formal adherence to the schism was comprised of two elements: consciously choosing adherence to the society over obedience to the pope, and "exclusive participation in Lefebvrian 'ecclesial' acts, without taking part in the acts of the Catholic Church," referencing the group's founder, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre.

Details on what people need to do to get un-excommunicated: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2026-07/fraternity-saint-pius-x-ways-to-repent-return-full-communion.html

This is a Big Fucking Deal.

And all sacraments administered by the priests from now on are invalid, including marriage and confession.

c) The Vatican is now being very consistent in referring to them as "Lefebvrians" just to make sure everyone knows we're talking about the followers of this antisemitic piece of shit:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2009/feb/19/richard-williamson-lefebvre
https://www.ncronline.org/news/lefebvre-movement-long-troubled-history-judaism

d)

synecdochic is awake: https://bsky.app/profile/rahaeli.bsky.social/post/3mpod4qebxk25

and explaining things: https://bsky.app/profile/rahaeli.bsky.social/post/3mpojo257e22r (thread)
https://bsky.app/profile/rahaeli.bsky.social/post/3mpokam4ft22r (thread)

Conclusion of thread: https://bsky.app/profile/rahaeli.bsky.social/post/3mpos4ov4t22r

No more His Holiness Nice Pope indeed. Benedict and Francis tried the carrot. Leo is bringing the Chicago baseball bat of loving fraternal correction to the problem now.

e) For anyone catching up, Claire Willett has been providing invaluable Schismwatch reportage:

https://skythread.mackuba.eu/?author=clairewillett.bsky.social&post=3mpkuvtp2ms2s
https://skythread.mackuba.eu/?author=clairewillett.bsky.social&post=3mplzv67h7s2j
https://skythread.mackuba.eu/?author=clairewillett.bsky.social&post=3mpnitsarss2h

also in case you have missed the excellent memes about this in the replies:

yes, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith did in fact used to be called the Inquisition

you may be familiar with their earlier work

f) Also I need to make sure that everyone knows the schismatic act had MERCH:

https://www.ncregister.com/cna/sspx-consecrates-bishops-in-defiance-of-rome-s-schism-warning

For the occasion, the SSPX even sold commemorative items, including an exclusive 75 Swiss franc box of wine — about $92.50 — called “Cuvée des Sacres,” featuring pinot noir, syrah, petit arvine, and fendant, with each bottle decorated with the image of one of the consecrated bishops.

Also white baseball caps printed with "Écône 2026" were distributed at the entrance, apparently.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only | Expand All

I live very near an SSPX church, and I'm so curious about how they're taking this. It's been so long since there was a schism.

When I was in primary school, we had a book in the classroom that explained Vatican II to children (presumably hanging around since the 60s). It was like, "John is WORRIED because Mass seems different! Let's talk about the changes you've noticed during Mass!" As a 10 year old, I did not understand its high camp value.

It was like, "John is WORRIED because Mass seems different! Let's talk about the changes you've noticed during Mass!"

AMAZING.

(no subject)

executrix - 2026-07-02 18:13 (UTC) - Expand

Yay! RC politics is the best. And the Inquisition is involved too -- it's like having a favourite band get back together.

If the CofE offered me a schism with a chasuble on the side, I might reconsider my atheism and rejoin. But they just don't drama things out with the same style.

THANK YOU FOR THE LINKS.

I was very sad last night that there seemed to be no images of the merch.
Maybe anti-Lefebvrean merch will be appearing soon?

Meanwhile, enjoying a vision of Ratzinger spinning in his crypt.

Needless to say, we are waiting breathlessly for JDV to offer his considered opinion.

Which reminds me - here's a detail to watch for. Both Claire & Denise mention that the Lefebvrist gang in the US have a longstanding custom of importing priests from third-world countries. Not just because of the issues with the personnel shortage, but because culturally those folks tend to be very respectful of their Bishop's authority. And it also means the Bishop is usually the employer-sponsor for their Green Card.

Will ICE be called off, to stop their semi-automatic deportation, because RELIGIOUS FREEDUMB FOR CHRISTIANISTS!?

Or possibly not, because Not the Right Kind of Christians? You probably saw that last week ICE kidnapped and warehoused a nun (who was wearing a full, traditional white habit) while she was walking to Mass. It took several congresspeople and a couple of layers of church authorities to get her out, several days later.

What an opportunity for JD to Have A Role - and during his book tour, too.

Perhaps the merch could include Rat Zinger tea. This news story, joining up with JD Vance's (a recent convert's) rebukes to the Pope, gives new meaning to the attempt to be "plus catholique que le Pape."

(no subject)

robynbender - 2026-07-02 18:55 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

executrix - 2026-07-02 19:38 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

robynbender - 2026-07-02 20:11 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

executrix - 2026-07-02 20:18 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

robynbender - 2026-07-02 20:47 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

dewline - 2026-07-03 00:12 (UTC) - Expand

This is delicious, thank you. Maybe JD Vance will join the Lebebvrians.

Everyone is eagerly anticipating Vance's thoughts on this!

Especially since he recently expressed his hopes that the Pope had learned from him:

https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/jd-vance-pope-trump-immigration-b3007149.html

He's so clearly convinced that Catholicism is just fundamentalism but fancier and with more Latin; it's surely only a matter of time before he blunders into saying something outright heretical.

(no subject)

cupcake_goth - 2026-07-02 23:14 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

kore - 2026-07-03 18:16 (UTC) - Expand

Such will not surprise me.

I broke out literal popcorn for this. I'm so glad Leo is putting the smackdown on the antisemites.

I have been bouncing up and down waiting for

synecdochic to wake up and explain things!

(no subject)

petra - 2026-07-02 19:48 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

rydra_wong - 2026-07-02 19:57 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

petra - 2026-07-02 20:17 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

rydra_wong - 2026-07-03 06:08 (UTC) - Expand

hi i got here from a link via

petra and i just gotta say this is so deeply entertaining. thank you for the links lol. i can't get over the fact that a new schism just dropped....

Delighted I could share! I'm finding it very soothing rubbernecking at a drama which has minimal impact on my life and in which the assholes appear to be getting smacked down hard.

(no subject)

luckyzukky - 2026-07-02 18:44 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

kore - 2026-07-03 18:19 (UTC) - Expand

(To be pedantic for anyone who's not in the fandom, this is a full-on schism but not a brand-new one. John Paul II already excommunicated the Lefebvrest *bishops* in 1988, although that did not affect the laypeople or other priests. But then Benedict, aka Ratzinger, welcomed them back into the fold in 2009, so here we are again. Hence the references to "Schism 2: Electric Boogaloo.")

(no subject)

luckyzukky - 2026-07-02 18:55 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

rydra_wong - 2026-07-02 19:07 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

luckyzukky - 2026-07-02 19:10 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

rydra_wong - 2026-07-02 19:24 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

luckyzukky - 2026-07-02 19:30 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

robynbender - 2026-07-02 19:13 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

luckyzukky - 2026-07-02 19:34 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

executrix - 2026-07-02 19:43 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

luckyzukky - 2026-07-02 19:48 (UTC) - Expand

As a student of religion and medieval history I am so freaking excited about all of this.

This is the kind of drama I live for.

Right? I was not expecting my mediaeval history degree to be as useful for modern politics as it’s turned out to be the last few years….

OOH, some of the hit dogs are hollering!

Y'all, this is actually all because of those nasty HOMO-SEXUALS being coddled by this SO-CALLED POPE!!! https://www.thecatholicmonitor.com/2026/02/leo-divides-church-on-sspx-freemasonry.html

Watching for Opus Dei to weigh in, I don't think that's happened yet: https://opusdei.org/en/ It was "an occasion of great joy" for them when Benedict made up with them. https://opusdei.org/en/article/statement-from-the-opus-dei-press-office-about-the-society-of-saint-pius-x/

Y'all, this is actually all because of those nasty HOMO-SEXUALS being coddled by this SO-CALLED POPE!!! https://www.thecatholicmonitor.com/2026/02/leo-divides-church-on-sspx-freemasonry.html

Relevant re: one of the things that may be pissing them off so badly: https://skythread.mackuba.eu/?author=clairewillett.bsky.social&post=3mpnoidhcb32d

See also re: Opus Dei: https://skythread.mackuba.eu/?author=clairewillett.bsky.social&post=3mpnkm54vbl2d

Edited 2026-07-02 19:31 (UTC)

(no subject)

luckyzukky - 2026-07-02 19:50 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

rydra_wong - 2026-07-03 06:43 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

robynbender - 2026-07-02 20:21 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

robynbender - 2026-07-02 19:40 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

robynbender - 2026-07-02 19:53 (UTC) - Expand

The fact of the merch is sending me.

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT. this is so deeply unserious i hope someone sells a hat on ebay i want schism merch

(no subject)

rydra_wong - 2026-07-02 19:51 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

rydra_wong - 2026-07-02 19:52 (UTC) - Expand

I am sitting here with my metaphorical popcorn having a great time. Thanks for the links!

:-o

My mother's weirdest and most antisemitic friends are deep in the SSPX, and I am SO EXCITED for this, maybe I will even go to Mass

Though the statement did not define what constitutes formal adherence to the schism for laypeople, it explicitly upheld a 1996 note from the then-Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, which said formal adherence to the schism was comprised of two elements: consciously choosing adherence to the society over obedience to the pope, and "exclusive participation in Lefebvrian 'ecclesial' acts, without taking part in the acts of the Catholic Church," referencing the group's founder, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre.

My dad also dabbles in the Latin Rite, but not exclusively, he is what you might call Lefebvre-curious, I'm glad he's not excommunicated but I hope he has a little think.

My mother's weirdest and most antisemitic friends are deep in the SSPX, and I am SO EXCITED for this, maybe I will even go to Mass

LOL and also please bring back gossip if you do!

My dad also dabbles in the Latin Rite, but not exclusively, he is what you might call Lefebvre-curious, I'm glad he's not excommunicated but I hope he has a little think.

The official guide to exactly who is excommunicated, what they need to do to get un-excommunicated, and who needs to have a little think:

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2026-07/fraternity-saint-pius-x-ways-to-repent-return-full-communion.html

The document specifies that the following “are not to be considered imputable: lay people who have attended the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X only for liturgical or spiritual reasons; lay people who, while aware of the tensions with the Holy See, do not reject the Magisterium or the authority of the Roman Pontiff.”

As regards these latter cases, it will be sufficient for them to approach “a priest in full communion, with the decision not to attend the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X in the future.”

So if he's been attending SSPX rites specifically, he just needs to resolve not to do it again and talk to a non-SSPX priest (and presumably to consider what's happening to the people in the other categories, and have a little think).

If it's non-SSPX Latin rites, no problem.

Edited 2026-07-03 06:30 (UTC)

(no subject)

rydra_wong - 2026-07-03 11:00 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

lizbee - 2026-07-03 22:56 (UTC) - Expand

Gosh I wish my aunt who was a nun was still alive, I would have LOVED to hear her take on this!

Awwwww.

OMFG how do I have to keep being on Team Pope also ahahahah fuck this is hilarious.

No joking, this made yesterday (mostly spent having a hideous combined migraine/anxiety meltdown) bearable.

Some commentary I have enjoyed:

https://bsky.app/profile/mostlybree.kitrocha.com/post/3mpp4xs7bfk2n

We're so starving for consequences we're reading Vatican press releases

https://bsky.app/profile/neolithicsheep.bsky.social/post/3mpoyyzxtek2v

It's not that I am suddenly embracing Roman Catholic doctrine wholesale, it's that I am suddenly embracing the amount of spite Bob from Chicago is bringing to the function, as it were.

Also. These guys are vile but relatively minor (though arguably the degree to which they've been allowed to get away with shit has emboldened all the tradCaths). There have, however, been some indications that Chicago Bob is thinking seriously about the possibility of trying to deal with Opus Dei, which would be HUGE.

synecdochic's comments and they were all gone.

That's weird -- all the links in the post still work for me. What do you mean "gone"? What happens when you click on the links?

*follows some links* the Chicago baseball bat of loving fraternal correction! Hurrah!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only | Expand All