business
Defying Pope Leo XIV and risking schism, traditionalists go ahead with Latin Mass consecrations
By Nicole Winfield And Jamey Keaten, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 1, 2026
· 6 min read
A breakaway group of traditionalist Catholics directly defied Pope Leo XIV by consecrating four bishops without his consent Wednesday, dismissing the resulting excommunications and schism by declaring it was a “sacred duty” to defend the Catholic faith.The Society of St. Pius X, which opposes mod...
Key takeaway The Mass, rich in velvet and gold-trimmed vestments, chant and incense, was livestreamed on the society's YouTube channel, with simultaneous translation in several languages.
Why this matters in Tomball News
The actions of the traditionalist Catholics in Switzerland may seem distant from Tomball , but the impact of this breakaway group's decision could be felt in local Catholic communities. The Houston area, which includes Tomball, is home to a diverse and sizable Catholic population, with many adhering to traditional practices. As the Society of St. Pius X moves forward with its consecration of bishops without papal consent, local Catholics may be forced to confront the possibility of schism and its implications for their own faith communities. The fact that thousands of faithful Catholics attended the ceremony in Switzerland suggests that there is a significant appetite for traditional liturgies, and it will be interesting to see how this development affects local Catholic churches and their relationships with the broader Catholic hierarchy. Local Catholics may be watching to see how the Catholic Church responds to this challenge to its authority.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Tomball News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A breakaway group of traditionalist Catholics directly defied Pope Leo XIV by consecrating four bishops without his consent Wednesday, dismissing the resulting excommunications and schism by declaring it was a “sacred duty” to defend the Catholic faith.The Society of St. Pius X, which opposes mod...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for Tomball News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Nicole Winfield And Jamey Keaten, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how Tomball News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from Tomball News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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