‘FATHER, MAY WE ALL BE ONE'

A letter to the faithful from Bishop Mark with important guidance concerning SSPX being in schism

A sign is seen near the entrance to St. Michael the Archangel Church in Farmingville, N.Y., July 2, 2026. The church is affiliated with the Society of St. Pius X. The Vatican declared the Society of St. Pius X to be "in schism" on July 2 after the traditionalist group consecrated four bishops without papal approval July 1. On the same day, the Vatican also outlined steps for SSPX members to be reconciled with the Catholic Church. (OSV News photo/Gregory A. Shemitz) (Courtesy photo of Gregory A. Shemitz)

Dear Diocesan Family,

Peace be with you.

It is with great sadness that I must share with you the announcement from the Holy See that the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) is in formal schism with the Roman Catholic Church due to the unauthorized episcopal ordinations of four bishops without papal mandate (see Canon 1013). Those ordained bishops and the bishops who consecrated them have incurred a latae sententiae (automatic) excommunication whose removal is reserved to the Roman Pontiff (see Canon 1387).

Such disobedience and disregard for the Primacy of the Bishop of Rome as the Successor of St. Peter, the first Pope to whom Christ entrusted his Church, is considered a schismatic act and gravely harms the unity of the Church for which Christ so fervently prayed. This act constitutes a formal separation from the Church’s communion and as such makes it illicit and forbidden for Roman Catholics of good standing to participate in and to receive the Sacraments from bishops and priests associated with the Society of St. Pius X, including Baptism, Confirmation, the Holy Eucharist, Penance, Marriage, and Holy Orders — or to associate oneself with SSPX churches, chapels and schools. The only exception provided for in Canon Law is danger of death (see Canons 976 and 1752).

When a person in danger of death needs a sacrament, the Church grants special permissions without requiring a formal dispensation. These include:

- Suspension of censures (penalties) affecting the priest or the recipient

- Granting faculties to absolve even to priests whose faculties are otherwise withdrawn, those not in "good standing," or those who have left the clerical state (laicized)

- Permitting sacraments even if the minister or recipient is otherwise prevented by ecclesiastical penalties.

Moreover, everyone should be aware that formal adherence to the schism is a grave offence against God and carries the penalty of excommunication decreed by the Church’s law. To continue to participate in the pastoral activities of an SSPX chapel or church or school after learning of the prohibition would be seen as “formal adherence.”

Out of care for souls, I must instruct the faithful of the Diocese of Albany to avoid participating in the activities of the Society of St. Pius X at their various sites within our diocesan boundaries, including St. Michael’s Chapel in Glenmont — while encouraging those who have been assisting at Mass or Sacraments administered by the priests of the Society of St. Pius X to now look for such spiritual counsel and nourishment at churches and chapels affiliated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany.

Moreover, permission can no longer be granted for the Society of St. Pius X to use our churches for any liturgical rites or gatherings. Previous permissions for the priests or bishops of the Society to receive delegation to officiate at the Sacrament of Marriage, as well as the delegation for the Sacrament of Confirmation are hereby rescinded. In addition, Our Marriage Tribunal will no longer process cases presented by the SSPX for adjudication.

I grieve over these painful events and again pray that efforts will be made on the part of ecclesiastical authorities to heal the breach. Nonetheless, the sole perpetrators of this state of affairs are the leadership of the Society of St. Pius X and those bishops who have betrayed the sacred vows of their Ordination. To our brothers in the Society who may not wish to be part of this break with the See of Peter, I am always open to receiving you and assisting you in remaining within the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.

Please allow me to add that this action pertains only to those Masses and services led by the Society of St. Pius X and is in no way associated with the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) or other approved celebrations of the Traditional Latin Mass.

In this hour, I continue to hold on my lips Christ’s prayer for unity and ask Mary, Mother of the Church to intercede for the Church and her members in this moment. With care and concern, I ask God’s blessing upon all who dwell within the territorial boundaries of the Diocese of Albany “Father, may we be one.”

In the Name of Jesus,

Most Rev. Mark O’Connell

Bishop of Albany