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One day after the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X saw the illicit consecration of new bishops, the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith responded with a decree declaring some excommunications, and an “explanatory note” offering additional ecclesial guidance.

While the overall intent is clear, both the note and the decree have raised questions about their meaning, and what they might mean for the future of the group, and its adherents.

You’ve got questions — we’ve got some answers. The Pillar explains.

A screenshot from the July 1 illicit consecration of SSPX bishops. Credit: SSPX News, Youtube.

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So what happened to the bishops who were consecrated on Wednesday?

According to a decree issued Thursday by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the bishop who illicitly consecrated four priests without a pontifical mandate — Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta — incurred the penalty of excommunication, for two named offenses: consecrating a bishop without a papal mandate, and (by defying the pope over that) committing an act of schism.

The penalty for consecrating a bishop without a papal mandate is “reserved to the Apostolic See,” which means that only the Vatican can remit the penalty, if the bishop shows contrition and asks for the

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