On July 1, 2026, the Society of Saint Pius X consecrated four bishops at its Écône seminary, defying Pope Leo XIV's direct plea to "turn back." Within 24 hours, Rome declared the SSPX's bishops and roughly 750 priests excommunicated and schismatic — invalidating confessions and marriages going forward. Matthew traces SSPX's origins through Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre's formation in the shadow of Action Française's antisemitic integralism, his fight against Vatican II, and the movement's namesake, Pope Pius X's anti-Modernist crusade. It’s a wild ride: from Juan Fernández y Krohn's 1982 assassination attempt on John Paul II, through Holocaust denial among SSPX clergy, domestic abuse testimony from ex-member Cassandra Hackstock, and Xavier Lopez's 2022 weapons arrest. Will the schism of a right-wing Catholic sect born out of antisemitism and anticommunism bolster American and global resistance to Leo XIV’s progressive agenda? Is this the form of Catholicism that JD Vance has been looking for? Or will it shift the Overton Window rightward, emboldening Vance and other TradCaths in their lowkey contempt for Leo—because at least the Church should be grateful that at least they’re not full schismatics?Show NotesVatican declares SSPX in schism, excommunicates bishops — AP/NBC NewsSSPX ordains four new bishops in defiance of Pope Leo and the Vatican — America MagazineThunderstorm interrupts SSPX episcopal consecrations — Catholic Herald Vatican declares SSPX bishops, priests schismatic, says lay faithful risk excommunication — National Catholic ReporterSecond Attempt on a Pontiff: The Little-Known 1982 Attack on John Paul II in Fatima — Gaudium PressRise of 'new Catholics' hardens battle lines between US and the Vatican — Irish TimesInside the Schism Threatening the Catholic Church — JacobinSeven Years in the SSPX — Where Peter IsCatholic Traditionalism After Francis — Commonweal MagazineAnalysis: SSPX excommunications show what Pope Leo means by "unity" — America MagazinePope news: SSPX | Magnificast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices