The Vatican responds to a traditionalist Catholic group, the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX), after it consecrates bishops without papal consent. According to multiple reports, the Vatican’s doctrine office declares the SSPX in schism and issues canonical penalties tied to consecrations carried out Wednesday at the group’s seminary in Econe, Switzerland. The Vatican describes the consecrations as a “schismatic act.” The reported sanctions include excommunication for bishops who participated in the ceremony as well as for the newly consecrated bishops themselves. The outlets also report that the Vatican warns the group’s members and cautions the faithful about the consequences of participating in actions the Vatican considers outside church authority. One report says six bishops in total are excommunicated, while another characterizes the action as including excommunications of both bishops and priests linked to the consecrations. The Vatican’s action is presented as more severe than the minimum penalties outlined in church canon law, reflecting its determination that the consecrations were done without the pope’s permission.