The Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X has defied a Roman ban by consecrating four new bishops in Ecône, Switzerland, leading to a potential severe sanction from the Pope and an announced schism. Thousands of worshipers witnessed the ceremony where the last two remaining bishops of the fundamentalist society consecrated the new ones, directly ignoring Pope Leo XIV's plea.

A traditionalist Catholic group, the Society of Saint Pius X, proceeded with the ordination of four new bishops in Ecône, Switzerland, despite explicit opposition from Pope Leo XIV and the Vatican, solidifying a schism announced in February and drawing condemnation from the Pope as a 'schismatic' and 'extremely grave sin'.

The Lefebvrians are preparing for a definitive break with the Catholic Church, with their final challenge set to take place tomorrow in a live-streamed event from the seminary grounds in Ecône, Switzerland.