Retired archbishop defends SSPX, says Pope Leo ‘no longer represents the Church’

July 14, 2026

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CWN Editor's Note: The retired bishop of Karaganda, Kazakhstan, defended the Society of Saint Pius X and offered strong criticism of the Vatican.

Archbishop Jan Paweł Lenga, M.I.C., said that “it was worth seeing the consecration of the bishops of the Society of St Pius X: what peace, what joy, what prayerful atmosphere, what solemnity! Nothing like that can be seen in the post-conciliar Church anymore.”

“The See of Peter has been occupied by people who have nothing to do with Christ,” Archbishop Lenga continued. “Prevost’s approval of the excommunication is proof that he no longer represents the Church that follows Jesus and leads people to salvation.”

AdVaticanum reported that the Diocese of Włocławek, Poland, had earlier imposed restrictions on Archbishop Lenga “after a series of public interventions directed against Pope Francis. The disciplinary measures prohibited him from preaching at Mass and speaking to the media, although Archbishop Lenga immediately rejected the sanctions.”

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• Posted by: chady - Jul. 15, 2026 8:12 AM ET USA

  The words of St John XX111 on taking up Papal Office ..... 'Every pontificate takes it own characteristic expression from the person who assumes it and represents it. It is true that all the faces of the popes who succeeded each other in the course of the centuries are reflected, and must be reflected, in the face of Christ, the Divine Master who trod the ways of this world only to spread the good doctrine and light of a wonderful example'. [Taken from John - "The Transitional Pope"]

• Posted by: chady - Jul. 15, 2026 6:06 AM ET USA

  'There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you -- who are you to judge your neighbour?'James 4:12