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What it means to be excommunicated from the Catholic Church for starting a schism

NPR | By Jason DeRose

Published July 6, 2026 at 3:44 PM CDT

The Society of St. Pius X has responded defiantly to Pope Leo XIV's excommunication of the neotraditionalist group. What does the excommunication mean — and how will the schism affect the church?

Jason DeRose

Jason DeRose is the Western Bureau Chief for NPR News, based at NPR West in Culver City. He edits news coverage from Member station reporters and freelancers in California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Alaska and Hawaii. DeRose also edits coverage of religion and LGBTQ issues for the National Desk.

See stories by Jason DeRose