The Catholic Bishop of Enugu, Bishop Callistus Chukwuma Valentine Onaga, has directed Catholics in the diocese not to participate in celebrations organised by the Society of St Pius X (SSPX), saying the traditionalist group is not in full communion with the Catholic Church.
In a pastoral letter issued on Wednesday, September 9, Bishop Onaga said the SSPX has an established presence in Enugu but stressed that the diocese does not associate itself with its activities.
“As your Bishop and Shepherd, I consider it appropriate to inform you that the SSPX, which has an established presence in Enugu at St. Michael’s Priory, 3 Shipeolu Street, Naira Triangle… is not in full communion with the Catholic Church led by Pope Leo XIV,” he said.
“The Catholic Diocese of Enugu dissociates itself from its activities and urges the faithful not to participate in its celebrations.”
The Bishop also warned Catholics about the canonical consequences of formally adhering to the SSPX, explaining that such adherence involves freely and consciously embracing the substance of the schism and placing obedience to the SSPX above obedience to the Pope.
He said clerics and lay faithful who “freely, consciously, and exclusively attend their Masses, receive their sacraments or adhere to their teachings incur a latae sententiae excommunication.”
Bishop Onaga further cautioned that SSPX ministers exercise their ministry illicitly.
According to the Bishop, the Holy See’s explanatory note of July 2 establishes that “the sacraments of Penance administered by SSPX priests and the marriages they assist at are invalid.”
The SSPX incurred excommunication after four bishops were consecrated in Switzerland on July 1 without papal approval. The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith described the consecrations as “an act of a schismatic nature”, with serious canonical consequences for SSPX members and those who formally adhere to it.
Bishop Onaga, however, stressed that the Church’s response is not simply one of condemnation, but also an invitation to reconciliation.
He described the Church as “a mother of mercy” that welcomes members of the SSPX who sincerely desire to return to full communion.
He directed Catholics who have formally joined or regularly adhered to the SSPX and wish to return to full communion to make a formal act of adherence to Catholic doctrine and obedience to the Catholic hierarchy under the jurisdiction of the diocesan Bishop.
Such faithful, he said, should contact the Diocesan Chancery for guidance.
While warning against participation in the SSPX, Bishop Onaga urged Catholics not to abandon the legitimate liturgical and spiritual heritage of the Church.
“Let us cherish the treasures of our Catholic tradition, including our legitimate liturgical and spiritual heritage, but always live them within the unity of the Church and in fidelity to her Magisterium,” he said.
He also called on Catholics to pray for members of the SSPX and for healing from divisions within the Church.
“Let us also keep the members of the SSPX constantly in our prayers, asking the Lord to heal every wound of division and restore full unity,” Bishop Onaga said.
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