Central News Agency (CNA Vatican, July 2) The Vatican announced today that a Catholic splinter group, without authorization from Pope Leo XIV, has illicitly consecrated bishops, engaging in schismatic acts. The clergy and laity of this group have been excommunicated. Reuters reported that the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith of the Holy See issued a strongly worded decree today, also issuing a warning to Catholics worldwide, stating that the sacraments currently administered by the "Priestly Society of St. Pius X" in Switzerland are all illicit. The decree stated that the clergy of the Priestly Society of St. Pius X do not perform sacraments validly, and that the sacraments of confession and the marriages they witness are invalid. Only the Pope has the authority to consecrate new bishops, a strict doctrine of the Catholic Church aimed at maintaining the apostolic succession from Jesus' twelve apostles, who are considered the first priests and bishops. The decree issued today by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith stated that the two bishops who presided over the unauthorized consecration ceremony in Switzerland yesterday have been expelled from the Church, and the four priests who were consecrated as new bishops have also been excommunicated. However, the Vatican's action today went further than expected. The Holy See stated that all priests of the Priestly Society of St. Pius X, and all Catholics who "formally follow" the group, have committed the crime of schism and are excommunicated. (Translator: Liu Shu-chin) 1150702 Choose to stand with the facts. Your every contribution is a force for safeguarding press freedom. Download the CNA "First-Hand News" APP to grasp the latest news in real-time. No reproduction, public broadcast, public transmission, or use of the text, images, or audio on this website is permitted without authorization.