business
Vatican excommunicates schismatic bishops and priests, and warns their followers
By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 2, 2026
· 6 min read
The Vatican responded aggressively Thursday to a traditionalist group that consecrated bishops without the pope’s consent, declaring the Society of St. Pius X had formally broken with the Catholic Church. It also excommunicated its bishops and priests, and warned its faithful that they too face t...
Key takeaway While a fringe movement on the Catholic right, the SSPX has been a thorn in the Vatican's side for five decades because it claims to be even more Catholic than the Holy See.
Why this matters in The Pearland
The Vatican's declaration of the Society of St. Pius X as being in schism may have significant implications for Pearland 's Catholic community. While the story centers around a traditionalist society in Europe, the effects of the Vatican's decision could be felt locally, particularly among those who attend traditional Latin Masses or have sympathies with the SSPX's views. Pearland's Catholic residents may need to consider the validity of sacraments, such as confession and marriage, if they are administered by SSPX priests. The Vatican's warning to the faithful to stop attending SSPX Masses may also lead to a reevaluation of their spiritual affiliations. As the local Catholic community navigates this development, it will be important to watch how Pearland's Catholic institutions and leaders respond to the Vatican's declaration and whether it leads to any changes in local religious practices or affiliations.
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 2, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The Vatican responded aggressively Thursday to a traditionalist group that consecrated bishops without the pope’s consent, declaring the Society of St. Pius X had formally broken with the Catholic Church. It also excommunicated its bishops and priests, and warned its faithful that they too face t...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Nicole Winfield, 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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