The bishop of Lourdes announced that the SSPX no longer has authorization at the shrine to celebrate the Mass or the sacraments, although individuals are free to come and pray privately.
Bishop Jean-Marc Micas of Tarbes and Lourdes, France, has revoked the authorization for priests of the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) to celebrate Mass or the sacraments at the Lourdes Shrine.
In an Aug. 13 statement, the French prelate explained that his decision is based on the Vatican decree of excommunication declaring the SSPX to be in a state of schism following its July 1 ordination of four bishops without a papal mandate.
“Following the decree of schism and excommunication published by the Holy See, I cannot authorize the celebration of the Mass or the other sacraments, not even the public prayers of the Society of St. Pius X within the shrine,” the bishop of Lourdes explained.
Therefore, “the authorization that until now was granted to the SSPX to do so is therefore withdrawn. On the other hand, it is obviously possible that whoever so desires can freely come to the grotto or other places at the shrine to pray privately,” the prelate noted.
The bishop stated,
