Four new bishops consecrated in Écône, Switzerland, 38 years and one day after the first consecration. (video and schedule here)
Usually, at that point, the bull is opened and the document is read -- usually in the original Latin, even in modern consecrations. This time, as in 1988, it was a little different.
After main co-consecrator Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta asked the question, the notary unrolled the scroll-like apparent bull and said:
"It is the Catholic and Roman Church, ever faithful to the traditions received from the apostles, which, in utterly exceptional circumstances, demands of us that we provide for the safeguarding of these traditions—that is, of the deposit of faith—and that we adopt the necessary means to transmit them faithfully to all men for the salvation of their souls. From the Second Vatican Council until our own days, the authorities of the Church have been animated by a spirit contrary to the faith and have acted against the holy Tradition. They will no longer tolerate sound doctrine."
So now it is done. We pray for unity and peace for all Catholics, and hope for the best. Let us see what the reaction of the Holy See will be today and in the next few days.
***
Rome had 38 (THIRTY-EIGHT!) years to display love and care for Traditional Catholics.
Other than bishop Rifan in Campos, Brazil (a very specific local circumstance), not a single priest from one of the several institutes created or received in regular communion since the 1988 Consecrations was made a bishop.
Not ONE.
What we got instead was love (Summorum Pontificum) followed by the still-present hateful intent of annihilation (Traditionis custodes).
Many of those priests and seminarians who left the SSPX and friendly communities in 1988 to come under Roman protection were under the impression that there would eventually be a bishop selected by Rome among them. It was not a written promise, but it was in the air, and it was a very reasonable expectation that almost all of them had. Almost forty years, and nothing.
So while this happening today is unsettling to a Roman soul, on the other hand is it completely irrational? Is it absolutely incomprehensible?...
We hope and pray for peace and unity.
***
On the other hand...
In 1988, there was true agonizing by Archbishop Lefebvre and a wide portion of the SSPX's priests, seminarians, and faithful, and most of the "friendly communities" (monasteries, convents).
The 2026 consecrations were marked by a "We don't care" attitude, and a carnival-like atmosphere.
This is the beginning of something different. This isn't 1988 anymore.
We hope and pray for peace and unity.
