2 articles · Updated · National Catholic Reporter · Aug 21
Summary
Bishop Jean-Marc Micas barred the Society of St. Pius X from celebrating Mass, sacraments or public prayers inside Lourdes sanctuary, while still allowing private prayer.
The ban follows July’s SSPX schism, triggered by the illicit consecration of four bishops without papal approval, after which the Vatican said adherents to the break were excommunicated.
Micas also said all mosaics by Fr. Marko Rupnik at the shrine will be concealed before Pope Leo XIV arrives and will remain covered afterward.
Rupnik, accused of sexually and spiritually abusing more than two dozen women, was expelled by the Jesuits in 2023 and faces an ongoing Vatican canonical trial.
Lourdes now sits at the center of two church flashpoints ahead of Leo’s Sept. 25-28 France trip, when he is expected to meet clergy abuse victims.