A Statement from Archbishop Checchio on the SSPX Excommunications

Having heard that the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X consecrated four new bishops this week against the explicit will of our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, and with disregard of his public cries for unity and his prior request for them to not proceed with the consecrations, I was truly disheartened. Whenever there is division in the Church, the entire body of Christ is affected. “If one part of the body suffers, all the parts suffer with it,” (1 Cor. 12:26)
 
In response, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has issued a very strong decree detailing the excommunication of all the bishops involved in the illicit consecrations. Moreover, the decree detailed that any clergy and lay faithful who continue to adhere to the schism of the SSPX also incur the penalty of excommunication. While this sounds like a strong penalty, we must always remember that excommunication is not intended to be permanent but is a charitable call to repentance and reconciliation.
 
This is particularly pertinent to the people of the Archdiocese of New Orleans given that there are two SSPX Chapels located within the archdiocese.  Of note, the decree stipulates that all clergy of the SSPX from this day forward are to be held as schismatics until they repent and are reconciled to the Body of Christ. Thus, the sacraments that they celebrate are henceforth illicit, and more significantly, the absolutions they offer in the Sacrament of Penance and the Marriages they witness are invalid. This is especially noteworthy because while Pope Francis had previously extended the faculties for these two sacraments to the priests of SSPX, the DDF has noted that they can no longer validly celebrate them. 
 
This is a significant moment in our Church’s history and it is especially a time for us to unite in prayer for our brothers and sisters in the SSPX. Prayer and renewed unity are the only answers to division. I know there to be many faithful and sincere people in the archdiocese who attend liturgical celebrations in the SSPX. Their commitment to traditional values and their emphasis on strong family lives are very commendable. But now, more than ever, they need our prayers that they do not follow in the footsteps of those bishops who have placed themselves outside the Barque of Peter.
 
I want to offer a word of encouragement and invitation to those members of the SSPX who so dearly love the Traditional Latin Mass but who also wish to be in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church, both clergy and lay faithful. You most certainly have a place here in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. To the priests who serve in these chapels, my prayers and openness to you are united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus’ desire that we may be one. To the lay faithful who attend liturgies in these chapels, as well, I beg you to seek the counsel of priests of our Archdiocese as you discern the Lord’s call to abide in communion with Peter and the Church Christ founded.  We have several locations that offer the Usus Antiquior of the Roman Rite, and I am confident you can and will find a home if you wish. I have already visited one of these communities for Sunday Mass and will visit another in the coming weeks. The people are inspiring and I am sure you will find them so too. Please, come and be reconciled to God.
 
Our Holy Father Pope Leo, in his opening address to the cardinals at the most recent consistory said, “I need your support: strong, explicit, and public.” My brothers and sisters, this also applies to all of us as members of the Body of Christ. Our support of the Holy Father must be strong, explicit, and public. We've known this truth from the beginning of our Church:  Ubi Petrus ibi ecclesia—where Peter is, there is the Church.
 
Pray for those who are hurt or confused by these most recent occurrences, pray for the clergy and all lay faithful of the SSPX that they might seek to be reconciled to Christ and His Church, pray for unity among all Christians, pray for unity in our own Archdiocese, and especially, join me in praying for our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV. Please pray for me too, and know of my love, prayers and gratitude for you all!