local
Catholic group that defied pope and caused schism defends its actions and casts itself as the victim
By NICOLE WINFIELD, Associated Press at Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar)
· July 3, 2026
· 1 min read
ROME (AP) — The traditionalist Catholics who defied Pope Leo XIV and caused a schism defended their actions Friday, insisting they were merely saving souls and were victim of an unjust sanction by the Holy See. The head of the Society of St. Pius X wrote to Leo a day after the Vatican excommunica...
Key takeaway Pius X wrote to Leo a day after the Vatican excommunicated the [...
Why this matters in The Odessa
In the Permian Basin, where faith plays a significant role in many residents' lives, the recent schism within the Catholic Church may resonate deeply. The actions of the traditionalist Catholics and the subsequent excommunication by the Vatican will likely spark discussions among Odessa 's Catholic community. Local parishioners may be wondering how this development will affect their own religious practices and relationships with the global Catholic Church. The Society of St. Pius X's defense of their actions as necessary to save souls may find sympathy among some conservative Catholics in the area, who value traditional teachings. As the situation unfolds, it will be interesting to see how local Catholic leaders and churches in Odessa navigate this complex issue and whether it will lead to any changes in their own practices or affiliations. The divide within the Catholic Church may have far-reaching implications for the community's religious landscape.
About this story
Original reporting by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . The Odessa surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 3, 2026 ·
Source: Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ROME (AP) — The traditionalist Catholics who defied Pope Leo XIV and caused a schism defended their actions Friday, insisting they were merely saving souls and were victim of an unjust sanction by the Holy See. The head of the Society of St. Pius X wrote to Leo a day after the Vatican excommunica...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 3, 2026 by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) and curated for The Odessa readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by NICOLE WINFIELD, Associated Press at Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar). To learn more about how The Odessa selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Odessa, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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