The traditionalist Catholics, who ignored Pope Leo XIV’s directives and initiated a schism, defended their actions on Friday. They argued they were saving souls and claimed to be victims of an unfair Vatican sanction.

Following the Vatican’s excommunication of the group’s bishops and priests, the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) expressed their stand in a letter to Pope Leo. This letter came a day after the Vatican warned members they might also face excommunication for their involvement in the schism, a division affecting church unity.

The SSPX, which conducts the traditional Latin Mass and opposes modern Catholic reforms, made headlines on Wednesday. At its seminary in Econe, Switzerland, SSPX consecrated four bishops without papal permission, which is considered a severe violation of church law.

Pope Leo had previously requested SSPX to cancel the event, but the group proceeded. In response, the Vatican issued a harsh penalty, even surprising SSPX critics. In his letter, SSPX leader Rev. Davide Pagliarani positioned his group as defenders of church tradition and claimed wrongful sanctioning by Rome.

“What the Society of Saint Pius X has done, and will continue to do, is nothing other than an extraordinary initiative for the salvation of souls, amidst the doctrinal and moral confusion into which the church is plunged,” Pagliarani stated. He added that despite what he considered “unjust and invalid” sanctions, SSPX’s love for the church would grow, offering their sufferings for the universal church and Pope Leo’s benefit.

SSPX was founded in 1970 by French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. The group opposed the changes introduced by the Second Vatican Council, which transformed the church’s relationships with other faiths and permitted Mass in local languages instead of Latin. Although SSPX is now a fringe group on the Catholic right, it has been a challenge for the Vatican for decades, claiming to adhere more strictly to Catholicism than the Vatican itself.

The Vatican’s strong response showed its dwindling patience after previous attempts to negotiate across three papacies. Pope Leo’s swift action signaled to SSPX followers they were engaging in a schism. According to Rev. Robert Gahl, an ethics expert at The Catholic University of America, the Vatican acted urgently to correct SSPX’s claims of superiority in offering sacraments.

Gahl explained that SSPX proceeded with the consecrations due to a perceived necessity, believing their sacramental care surpassed what the church provided. The Vatican’s actions, however, made it clear that salvation requires church unity and compliance with the pope’s orders.

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