Members of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) have called on Catholics to remain in full communion with Pope Leo XIV and the bishops united with him, following the consecration of four bishops by the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) without a papal mandate.

In a statement signed by SACBC President Cardinal Stephen Brislin and shared with the SACBC Communication Office through the Secretariat on 29 September 2026, the bishops expressed their deep sadness over the actions of the SSPX.

The statement comes after the four episcopal consecrations held at Écône, Switzerland, on 1 July. The ceremony took place despite repeated appeals from Pope Leo XIV and warnings from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith that proceeding without a pontifical mandate would constitute a schismatic act.

A call to remain in communion

In the 15 September statement, the SACBC recalls that the bishops who carried out the consecrations, as well as those who received them, incurred the penalty of excommunication under Church law. The bishops also refer to the decree issued by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith following the consecrations and the canonical consequences for those involved.

Against this background, the SACBC urges Catholics to remain united with Pope Leo XIV, the bishops in communion with him and the universal Church, and to refrain from participating in celebrations and activities promoted by the SSPX.

The bishops’ appeal comes in the context of Pope Leo XIV’s repeated efforts to prevent the consecrations. In his final appeal to the SSPX before the ceremony, the Pope urged its members to “turn back”, warning that the planned action would deepen division within the Church and affect the spiritual welfare of the faithful associated with the fraternity.

A path towards reconciliation

At the same time, the SACBC highlights the Church’s continued openness to reconciliation. The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has established procedures for SSPX members, both clergy and laity, who have incurred automatic excommunication and wish to return to full communion with the Catholic Church.

The SACBC concludes its appeal by encouraging prayer for the unity of the Church, so that Catholics may remain faithful to their communion with the Successor of Peter and together proclaim the Gospel and build the Kingdom of God in Southern Africa.