Cardinal Anders Arborelius made an emphatic unity call in the diocese of Stockholm (Sweden), clarifying the canonical status of the San Pío X priestly fraternity (FSSPX) and warning Swedish Catholics about decisions that could undermine ecclesial communion.
The declaration Del Cardenal, published on August 15 in the solemnity of the Assumption, responded to the controversy generated after episcopal acts carried out in the diocese by Bishop Bernard Fellay, former superior general of the FSSPX, without the knowledge or consent of the diocesan bishop.
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According to the Official clarification of the Diocese of Stockholmthe bishop of Stockholm is the only one who exercises supervision on the liturgical life within his jurisdiction, and no other bishop can perform ecclesial acts in the diocese without his permission, as required by canon law and the guidelines of the Holy See. The statement said that Fellay had carried out episcopal functions “without the knowledge of our bishop”, an act described as contrary to canon law and cause of “division and discord”, Ewtn Norway reported.
The diocese made it clear that FSSPX does not live or act in communion with the Holy See, and that its canonical status remains uncertain.
The sacraments received from priests from the FSSPX were described as “valid but illicit” (valid but not allowed), and the faithful were urged to avoid them.
The clarification added that such sacraments cannot be registered in the parochial books – which affects access to baptism or confirmation certificates – and that FSSPX priests are not allowed to celebrate Mass anywhere in the diocese.
Arborelius made specific reference to the emphasis of Pope Leo XIV in strengthening the internal unity of the Church since the beginning of his pontificate, noting that “only from this interior unit we can contribute to promoting unity with other Christians.”
The Cardinal emphasized that 2025 – both the retirement year as the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea – offer key occasions to renew faith in “one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church.”
The Diocese of Stockholm stressed that Catholics who receive sacraments administered by the FSSPX must understand that such participation “expresses a lack of unity with the diocesan bishop and Pope Leo XIV”.
The statement added that inviting ecclesiastical leaders to the diocese privately violates canon law and encourages division.
Arborelius linked the importance of unity with the Jubilee Year and Nicea’s anniversary, describing the Eucharist as the “sacrament of unity” and warning against anything that can sow division. He prayed for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, urging Catholics to stand firm in the unity entrusted by Christ to the apostles and their successors.
The Detailed clarification From the Diocese he reaffirmed that the Church must protect its most sacred treasure – the sacraments – and that these should always be held in communion with the diocesan bishop and the Pope.
The San Pío X priestly fraternity was founded in 1970 by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre in Switzerland to preserve traditional Catholic practices in the midst of the reforms of the Second Vatican Council.
The consecration in 1988 of four bishops without the papal approval by Lefebvre led to his excommunication and that of the bishops, considered a “schismatic act” by Pope John Paul II.
Although Pope Benedict XVI raised the excommunions in 2009, the group is still out of full communion with the Church.
Recent Vatican concessions include that Pope Francis granted the FSSPX priests the power to listen to confessions validly in 2015 and authorized the diocesan supervision for valid marriages of the FSSPX in 2017.
The Vatican included a pilgrimage of the FSSPX in its official calendar For the Jubilee Year 2025. In preparation for the pilgrimage, the FSSPX reported that began A novena to the Immaculate Conception on August 11.
Translated and adapted by the ACI Press team. Originally published in CNA.
Pål John Nes
Pål Johannes Nes is the chief editor of Ewtn Norway.