business
Defying Pope Leo XIV, traditionalists go ahead with bishop consecrations in Switzerland
By Nicole Winfield And Jamey Keaten, Associated Press at KPRC 2 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston)
· 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 Sugar Land News
The actions of the traditionalist Catholics in Switzerland may seem distant from Sugar Land , but the implications of this breakaway group's decision could be felt in local Catholic communities. The Houston area, including Sugar Land, is home to a diverse and sizable Catholic population, with many attending traditional Latin Masses. The consecration of bishops without the pope's consent may lead to a rift within the local Catholic community, potentially affecting churches and parishioners in Fort Bend County. As the situation unfolds, it will be worth watching how local Catholic leaders and parishioners respond to this development, and whether it will lead to any changes in the way traditional Latin Masses are celebrated in the area. The potential for schism and excommunication raises questions about the unity of the Catholic Church in Sugar Land and the broader Houston area.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston) . Sugar Land News 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 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston) ·
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 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston) and curated for Sugar Land News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Nicole Winfield And Jamey Keaten, Associated Press at KPRC 2 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston). To learn more about how Sugar Land News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from Sugar Land News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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