The Catholic Diocese of Enugu in Nigeria has dissociated itself from the activities of the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) within its jurisdiction, declaring that the traditionalist group, which incurred excommunication in July, is not in full communion with the Catholic Church.

In a pastoral letter issued on Wednesday, September 9, Bishop Callistus Chukwuma Valentine Onaga urged the faithful to remain firmly united with Pope Leo XIV and refrain from participating in the SSPX celebrations.

“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,” Bishop Onaga said.

He added, “The Catholic Diocese of Enugu dissociates itself from its activities and urges the faithful not to participate in its celebrations.”

“This act of the Society causes deep sorrow because it renews wounds of division within the Body of Christ, contrary to our Lord’s prayer ‘that they may all be one’” he said in reference to the Gospel of John.

SSPX incurred excommunication after the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a Decree and the Explanatory Note following the illicit Episcopal Consecration of f four Bishops in Switzerland on July 1 without Papal approval.

According to the Vatican, the consecrations constituted “an act of a schismatic nature” with serious canonical consequences for SSPX members and those who formally adhere to it.

The Bishop further reminded the faithful that formal adherence to the schism constitutes a grave offence and carries the penalty of excommunication, in accordance with Canon 1364 §1 of the Code of Canon Law and Ecclesia Dei.

He explained that such formal adherence involves freely and consciously embracing the substance of the schism, placing obedience to the SSPX above obedience to the Pope and demonstrating this through one’s actions.

Bishop Onaga warned that 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.” He further cautioned the faithful that SSPX ministers exercise their ministry illicitly.