Statement from Cardinal Tobin on the Society of Saint Pius X

On July 1, 2026, four members of the Society of Saint Pius X were consecrated bishops without the appropriate pontifical mandate. As a consequence, both the ordaining bishops and the bishops who received the ordination incurred a latae sententiae excommunication (canon 1387). The Decree formally recognizing the excommunication was signed on the next day by Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, and countersigned by the two Secretaries of the same Dicastery.

In the same Decree, three additional consequences of the illicit ordinations were enumerated:

1. The sacred ministers belonging to the Society of Saint Pius X are in schism and must therefore be considered schismatics.
2. The lay faithful, who formally adhere to the Society of Saint Pius X, are to be considered schismatics and excommunicated. Formal adherence consists of the internal assent to place obedience to the Society over obedience to the Roman Pontiff, and exteriorly, to attend their ecclesial acts (e.g., their liturgies, activities, etc.) exclusively.
3. The sacred ministers of the Society of Saint Pius X administer the sacraments illicitly, and the sacraments of penance administered by them and marriages assisted by them are invalid.

For the faithful of the Archdiocese of Newark who wish to participate in the liturgical rites according to the Missal antecedent to the reform of 1970 (formerly called the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite), three options are presently available:

1. The Oratory of Saint Anthony of Padua in West Orange, administered by the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest.
2. Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Jersey City.
3. Our Lady of Victories Church in Harrington Park.

The priests, religious, and faithful of the archdiocese are reminded that they are obliged to maintain communion with the Church (canon 209 §1). Let us work together to maintain and promote ecclesial communion. 

Let us all pray for unity within our family faith, as we seek to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and in deed.