Rorate Caeli advances Rome's plan
In recent days, information has been filtering out about the possible response of the DDF regarding the consecrations in Écône. The first sign came on April 25th. The Rorate Caeli portal, citing Roman sources, reported that Pope Leo XIV would have decided to apply the so-called "jurisprudence of 1988" in case the consecrations take place.
According to that information, a decree similar to the one promulgated then by Cardinal Bernardin Gantin following the ordinations carried out by Marcel Lefebvre would already be prepared. The document declared the automatic excommunication (ipso facto) of the bishops involved and qualified the act as schismatic, urging the faithful not to adhere to it.
Rorate Caeli also added that no prior meeting between the Pope and the superior general of the FSSPX, Father Davide Pagliarani, was planned, which pointed to a scenario without immediate mediation.
Spuntoni confirms that Rome already contemplates schism
The following day—Sunday of the Good Shepherd—Bishop Bernard Fellay, former superior general of the Fraternity, acknowledged in his homily that excommunication is a highly probable scenario.
"I do not wish to be a prophet, but I am quite sure that there is an enormous probability that all of you, ourselves included, will be excommunicated, declared in schism," Fellay affirmed before the faithful, noting that Rome has already publicly expressed its position.
The prelate interpreted this situation in spiritual terms, affirming that the Fraternity is called to be "a sign of contradiction," identifying that contradiction with the cross and calling upon the faithful to assume the consequences.
Official warnings: Rome speaks of "rupture of communion"
In parallel, the Holy See had already made clear its position in doctrinal terms. Following the meeting between the prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and the superior general of the FSSPX, it was warned that the ordination of bishops without pontifical mandate would imply a "decisive rupture of ecclesial communion (schism)," with grave consequences for the Fraternity.
Confirmation of the decree: it is already prepared
That same Sunday, Nico Spuntoni, journalist for Il Giornale, confirmed that Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández already has a decree prepared to declare schism if the consecrations are carried out. He also assures that the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith "is already prepared for a schism scenario" and that, although Rome has been "flexible" in negotiations, there is now a clear intention to respond with firmness.
The journalist also underscores that the scope of sanctions is unclear. He has not been able to confirm whether the eventual excommunication will affect only the bishops involved or could extend to other members of the Fraternity, so he avoids confirming rumors about generalized measures.
Pastoral preparations amid a possible fracture
To the voices that have reported on this matter is added journalist Diane Montagna, who adds the pastoral dimension to the Holy See's movement. According to the sources cited, the Vatican is preparing not only a disciplinary response, but also mechanisms to welcome the priests and faithful who do not wish to remain in the Fraternity following an eventual rupture.
An increasingly defined scenario
Everything seems to indicate that the consecrations planned for July 1st are considered in Rome as a probable outcome, to the point that the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith already has its response prepared and is working in parallel on pastoral measures for its consequences.
If that step materializes, the Holy See is expected to respond with a formal declaration of schism and canonical sanctions, following the precedent of 1988. The Church is approaching a new turning point in the complex relationship between Rome and the Fraternity founded by Marcel Lefebvre.
