By LifeSiteNews (Politics) | Created at 2026-08-18 19:11:51 | Updated at 2026-08-20 02:41:18
1 day ago
Tue Aug 18, 2026 - 2:40 pm EDT
(LifeSiteNews) — The bishop of Lourdes, France, has banned the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) from celebrating Masses, sacraments, and public prayers within the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes.
In a letter dated August 13, Bishop Jean-Marc Micas of Tarbes and Lourdes cited the Vatican’s excommunication of the six SSPX bishops at the center of four episcopal consecrations without a papal mandate.
“Following the decree of schism and excommunication issued by the Holy See, I cannot authorize the celebration of Mass or other sacraments, nor even public prayers, by the Society of Saint Pius X within the Sanctuary,” he wrote. “However, it is of course possible for anyone who wishes to freely go to the Grotto or any other place within the Sanctuary to pray privately.”
The decision comes just over a month ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s own visit to France. He will be present at Lourdes September 26-27 for prayer and a celebration of Sunday Mass.
Despite the ban on SSPX Masses and public prayers, Lourdes openly welcomes Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists. Last year, a joint Muslim-Catholic pilgrimage to Lourdes was organized by an ecumenical group called “Together with Mary.”
This is a developing story…
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