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Parishioners from nine ultra-conservative Catholic churches in Minnesota are facing potential sanctions from the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV on Thursday officially 

excluded the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X

 from official sacraments, including officiating marriage and confession. The official term is excommunication.

Vatican historian and scholar Massimo Faggioli said the Vatican issued steps for St. Pius X churches to reenter the Catholic Church, it just depends on whether not they’ll follow suit. 

“Excommunication is not a definitive penalty, it is a medicinal penalty,” Faggioli, a Villanova University professor who taught previously at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, told MPR News.

The Society of St. Pius X was founded in 1970 after refusal to accept doctrine of the Second Vatican Council or Vatican II in the 1960s, which acknowledged other religions like Christianity and Judaism as legitimate faiths. Since then, it has been excommunicated twice, including the most recent occurrence. 

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Vatican historian and scholar Massimo Faggioli told MPR News the Vatican issued steps for St. Pius X churches to reenter the Catholic Church, it just depends on whether not they’ll follow suit. 

Vatican expert says excommunication is not end of the road for traditionalist sect

Vatican expert says excommunication is not end of the road for traditionalist sect

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