business
Defying Pope Leo XIV, traditionalists go ahead with bishop consecrations in Switzerland
By Nicole Winfield And Jamey Keaten, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 1, 2026
· 6 min read
A group of traditionalist Catholics directly defied Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday by consecrating four bishops without his consent, dismissing the resulting excommunications and saying the break with the church was necessary to defend the Catholic faith.The Society of St. Pius X, which opposes modern...
Key takeaway It now has six bishops, 751 priests, 264 seminarians training in five seminaries, 145 religious brothers, 88 oblates and 250 religious sisters representing 50 nationalities, according to SSPX statistics.
Why this matters in The Pearland
The actions of the traditionalist Catholics in Switzerland may seem distant from Pearland , but the repercussions of this schism could be felt in local Catholic communities. Pearland's own Catholic population, which has grown significantly in recent years, may be affected by the divide between traditionalists and the modern Catholic Church. Local Catholics who prefer the traditional Latin Mass may find themselves at odds with the Church's official stance, potentially leading to a splintering of the community. Additionally, the consecration of bishops without papal approval may lead to questions about the legitimacy of certain Catholic institutions and leaders in the Pearland area, potentially impacting the community's faith and trust in the Church. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to watch how local Catholic leaders and communities respond to this development and navigate the potential fallout.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Pearland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A group of traditionalist Catholics directly defied Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday by consecrating four bishops without his consent, dismissing the resulting excommunications and saying the break with the church was necessary to defend the Catholic faith.The Society of St. Pius X, which opposes modern...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Nicole Winfield And Jamey Keaten, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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