A news item of the SSPX; full communique at the bottom:
On this February 2, 2026, the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin, Father Davide Pagliarani, Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X, during the ceremony of the imposition of the cassocks, which he presided over at the International Seminary of Saint-Curé-d’Ars, in Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, France, publicly announced his decision to entrust to the bishops of the Fraternity the task of proceeding with new episcopal consecrations, on July 1st next.
Last August, he requested the favor of an audience with the Holy Father, making known to him his desire to filialy explain to him the present situation of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X. In a second letter, he explicitly opened up about the particular need of the Fraternity to ensure the continuation of the ministry of its bishops, who have been traveling the world for nearly forty years to respond to the many faithful attached to the Tradition of the Church and desirous that the sacraments of Holy Orders and Confirmation be conferred, for the good of their souls.
After having long and carefully considered the matter in prayer, and having received from the Holy See, in recent days, a letter that in no way responds to our requests, Father Pagliarani, supported by the unanimous opinion of his Council, considers that the objective state of grave necessity in which souls find themselves requires such a decision.
This has been some time coming -- we first reported the persistent rumors regarding it in September 2023, and they have been repeated consistently. It is absolutely unsurprising, considering they now have only two of the 1988 bishops (Bishops Alfonso de Galarreta, 69 years old, and Bernard Fellay, 67), who have to roam around the world for consecrations and confirmations, for a much larger group of faithful than in 1988.
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Communiqué
On this February 2, 2026, the feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Father Davide Pagliarani, Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X, during the ceremony of imposition of the cassocks which he presided over at the International Seminary of St. Curé d'Ars in Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, France, publicly announced his decision to entrust the bishops of the Fraternity with the task of proceeding with new episcopal consecrations on July 1.
Last August, he requested an audience with the Holy Father, informing him of his desire to filialy explain the current situation of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X. In a second letter, he explicitly addressed the Fraternity's particular need to ensure the continuation of the ministry of its bishops, who have been traveling the world for nearly forty years to respond to the many faithful attached to the Tradition of the Church and desirous that the sacraments of Holy Orders and Confirmation be conferred for the good of their souls.
After much prayerful reflection, and having received a letter from the Holy See in recent days that in no way responds to our requests, Father Pagliarani, supported by the unanimous opinion of his Council, believes that the objective state of grave necessity in which souls find themselves requires such a decision.
The words he wrote on November 21, 2024, for the fiftieth anniversary of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre's historic declaration, reflect his thoughts and intentions more than ever:
"It is only in the Church of all time and in her constant Tradition that we find the guarantee of being in the Truth, of continuing to preach and serve it. [...]
"The Society [of St. Pius X] does not seek first and foremost its own survival: it seeks primarily the good of the universal Church and, for this reason, it is par excellence a work of the Church, which with unique freedom and strength, responds adequately to the specific needs of an unprecedented tragic era.
"This single goal is still ours today, just as it was fifty years ago: “That is why, without any rebellion, bitterness, or resentment, we continue our work of priestly formation under the star of the Magisterium of all time, convinced that we cannot render a greater service to the Holy Catholic Church, to the Supreme Pontiff, and to future generations (Archbishop Lefebvre, Declaration of November 21, 1974).” ”
In the coming days, the Superior General will provide further explanations on the present situation and on his decision.
“Nos cum Prole pia benedicat Virgo Maria.
May the Virgin Mary bless us, together with her divine Son.”
Menzingen, February 2, 2026 [source]
