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August 6, 2026July 15, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City,
As we have become painfully aware, the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) recently proceeded with the illicit ordination of four bishops without a papal mandate and against the will of Pope Leo XIV. This grave, schismatic act, which has resulted in their automatic excommunication constitutes a serious wound to ecclesial communion.
The SSPX has a local site in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, Saint Michael Chapel in Bethany.
For several years, and with the encouragement and permissions granted by the late Pope Francis during the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy there has been some collaboration between Saint Michael Chapel and our chancery staff. This was primarily to ensure the canonical validity of marriages for those seeking marriage through the SSPX. Now, considering the decree of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, delegation to priests of the Society to preside at weddings will no longer be granted.
Of particular importance for the lay faithful is the clarification that accompanied that decree. The Holy See has made clear that the clergy of the Society are now to be regarded as schismatic. This means that, from that day forward, the sacraments they celebrate are illicit and, most significantly for the faithful, the confessions they hear and the marriages at which they officiate are considered invalid by the Church.
I wish to offer a word of reassurance. The sanction of excommunication is not intended to be punitive but medicinal. Excommunication does not fall upon those who have simply attended these liturgies out of a sincere desire to worship and who have never intended to reject the authority of the Holy Father or the teaching of the Church or the Second Vatican Council. For those who may have sympathies with the SSPX what the Church now asks is straightforward: knowing the situation as it now stands, the faithful of the Catholic Church can no longer take part in the celebration of Mass or any sacraments celebrated by a priest of the Society of Saint Pius X, even for purely devotional reasons. To do so now is to show unity with the teachings of the schismatic Society which have been declared to be in conflict with the authentic teaching of the Roman Catholic Church.
I know that these words may be difficult for some to hear, especially those who have worshiped, whether regularly or on occasion, at Masses celebrated by priests of the Society of St. Pius X but who never affirmed or professed adherence to the Society's teachings. I encourage those who find themselves in this situation to join the parish of Saint Damien of Molokai Catholic Church (8455 N. 234 St., Edmond, OK 73025) which is served by the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, where they can participate in the Traditional Latin Mass.
Lay faithful who have formally joined the Third Order of the Society of Saint Pius X or lay faithful who habitually participated in the celebrations of the SSPX, formally sharing their doctrinal positions but now aware that communion with the Catholic Church has been broken, may reconcile with the Church through a profession of faith and formula of adherence. If this is your situation, contact your parish priest or call my office to discuss how this can be accomplished.
It is our duty to support the Magisterium of the Church and the authority of the Roman Pontiff. Be assured of my prayers for all affected by this painful and harmful wound to ecclesial communion.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Paul S. Coakley
Archbishop of Oklahoma City