Society St. Pius X - Canonical studiesI. Excommunication of the Followers of Archbishop Lefebvre, 24.8.1996, Pontificial Council for theInterpretation of Legislative Texts, Annexe to Prot.N. 5233/96 (FreeRepublic.com)1. From the Motu Proprio "Ecclesia dei" of 2.7.1988 and from the Decree "Dominus Marcellus Lefebvre" of theCongregation for Bishops, of 1.7.1988, it appears above all that the schism of Monsignor Lefebvre wasdeclared in immediate reaction to the episcopal ordinations conferred on 30.6.1988 without pontifical mandate(cf CIC, Can. 1382). All the same it also appears clear from the aforementioned documents that such a mostgrave act of disobedience formed the consummation of a progressive global situation of a schismatic character.2. In effect no.4. of the Motu Proprio explains the nature of the "doctrinal root of this schismatic act," and no.5c) warns that a "formal adherence to the schism" ("the movement of Archbishop Lefebvre") would bring with itthe excommunication established by the universal law of the Church (CIC, can 1364 § 1). Also the decree ofthe Congregation for Bishops makes explicit reference to the "schismatic nature" of the aforesaid episcopalordinations and mentions the most grave penalty of excommunication which adherence "to the schism ofMonsignor Lefebvre" would bring with it.3. Unfortunately, the schismatic act which gave rise to the Motu Proprio and the Decree did no more than drawto a conclusion, in a particularly visible and unequivocal manner - with a most grave formal act of disobedienceto the Roman Pontiff - a process of distancing from hierarchical communion. As long as there are no changeswhich may lead to the re-establishment of this necessary communion, the whole Lefebvrian movement is to beheld schismatic, in view of the existence of a formal declaration by the Supreme Authority on this matter.4. One cannot furnish any judgement on the argumentation of Murray's thesis (see below) because it is notknown, and the two articles w...