If the SSPX consecrations happen, who exactly is excommunicated?

The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith reiterated Wednesday that if the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X carries out plans to illicitly consecrate bishops in July, those involved will commit an act of schism and be subject to the canonical penalty of excommunication.

“We reiterate what has already been communicated,” wrote DDF prefect Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, “the episcopal ordinations announced by the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X do not have the requisite papal mandate.”

“This act will constitute ‘a schismatic act’ (John Paul II, Ecclesia Dei, no. 3) and ‘formal adherence to the schism constitutes a grave offence against God and entails the excommunication established under Church law’ (ibid., 5c; cf. Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, Explanatory Note, 24 August 1996).”

The canonical crimes and consequences of the SSPX’s planned episcopal consecrations have already been made clear, and explained for those directly involved — that is to say those who impart or receive ordination as a bishop without a papal mandate.

But as the date of the proposed schismatic act draws near, some Catholics have begun