Vatican expels members of Catholic group for unauthorized ordinations

The Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops issued a formal reminder that only the pope has the authority to approve the consecration of new bishops, a measure it says is essential to preserve the Church’s apostolic continuity with the original disciples of Jesus. The statement, released in a document circulated to dioceses worldwide, reiterates that while a bishop may be ordained by other bishops, the papal mandate must be obtained beforehand to legitimize the appointment and ensure adherence to canon law.

Officials emphasized that the papal approval process safeguards the unbroken line of succession that links today’s hierarchy to the early Church, preventing irregularities that could compromise doctrinal unity. By centralizing this authority, the Holy See aims to maintain consistent standards for episcopal leadership and to reinforce the theological foundation of the Catholic Church’s governance.