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The Norwegian document reiterates the position of the Apostolic See: the two consecrating bishops and the four priests consecrated incurred ipso facto excommunication latae sententiae reserved to the Apostolic See (can. 1387 CIC), and it includes the Note’s statement that the priests of the Fraternity “can no longer validly absolve” in the sacrament of confession.
Consequently, it asks Catholics in his diocese to refrain from participating in the Masses and activities organized by the FSSPX, and it calls for a Rosary for the unity of the Church on 8 July, the feast of Saint Sunniva, patroness of western Norway.
Yet what is truly newsworthy in the statement lies in its second half. Far from the punitive tone that has characterized other episcopal reactions, Bishop Hansen addresses expressly the faithful of his diocese attached to the pre-conciliar liturgy — including those who had been attending the Fraternity’s Masses — with words of understanding: “I understand that these are difficult and distressing days for you.”
And he offers a concrete pastoral response: the Mass according to the 1962 Missal will continue to be celebrated every Sunday at the church of Saint Joseph in Oslo, and the bishop undertakes to expand this form of celebration in the diocese “if there is need of it and if it is for the good of the Church and of souls.”
This is one of the first episcopal responses to the crisis opened by Écône that, rather than limiting itself to canonical condemnation, confronts the underlying question: what real alternative does the Church offer to the faithful who seek the traditional liturgy.
In a context in which numerous dioceses lack any authorized celebration according to the 1962 Missal, the gesture of the young Norwegian bishop — a career diplomat of the Holy See before his appointment — marks a path that other ordinaries would do well to observe: doctrinal firmness regarding communion with Peter, accompanied by liturgical generosity toward those who, precisely because of that lack of generosity, had ended up in the chapels of the Fraternity.
We offer below the complete translation of the statement.
Statement of Bishop Fredrik Hansen on the “FSSPX” and the excommunications
Diocese of Oslo — 3 July 2026
Dear brothers in priestly ministry, dear faithful:
(1) “By unity with the Bishop of Rome, in communion and in the profession of the true faith, the Church of Christ is one flock under the supreme shepherd. This is the teaching of Catholic truth, and no one can depart from it without endangering his own faith and salvation” (First Vatican Council, Pastor Æternus, ch. III).
(2) Our unity with the Bishop of the Church of Rome, with the Pope, is the concrete expression of our belonging to the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church, which Our Lord Jesus Christ founded to “spread the truth” to all men (Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium, 8).
(3) On 1 July —contrary to the sincere and paternal appeal of Pope Leo XIV, and without the required pontifical mandate— four priests belonging to the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X (also known as the “Fraternity of Saint Pius X” or FSSPX) were consecrated bishops in Écône, Switzerland. The consecrating bishop and one of the co-consecrating bishops also belong to that Fraternity.
(4) The two consecrating bishops and the four ordained bishops separated themselves by this act (ipso facto) from ecclesial communion and from unity with the Pope. They thereby incurred the gravest ecclesiastical penalty: excommunication latae sententiae reserved to the Apostolic See (CIC, can. 1387).
(5) The Church and her unity have suffered a grave wound. This is sad and painful, and it calls us to prayer and penance. As a concrete expression of this, I exhort you all to pray the Rosary for the unity of the Church on the feast of Saint Sunniva, 8 July 2026.
(6) The Apostolic See has defined the episcopal consecration of Écône as a “schismatic act” (Explanatory Note of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, 2 July 2026). The same document further states that the priests belonging to the Fraternity, now marked by the schismatic act and its consequences, can no longer validly grant absolution in the sacrament of confession.
(7) In order not to extend or aggravate further the consequences of this schismatic act, the call of the Holy See is clear: remain steadfast and secure in unity with the Pope and with the bishops in communion with him. This means that Catholics must refrain from participating in the Masses and other activities organized by the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X.
(8) A word to the Catholics of our diocese who feel attraction and affection for the pre-conciliar liturgy and its associated spirituality, and who have therefore attended Masses celebrated in our diocese by priests of the Fraternity: I understand that these are difficult and distressing days for you. Perhaps you feel pulled in different directions, and perhaps you find yourselves bewildered by all that has happened. Some of you may be experiencing uncertainty about the future.
(9) As your shepherd, I therefore offer you encouragement and some words about what is to come. The encouragement is simple: remain steadfast in unity with our Holy Father, the Bishop of Rome, and with me as Bishop of Oslo.
(10) As for the future: you desire to be able to participate in liturgical celebration according to the 1962 Missal. Many of you also seek a spiritual expression and a spirituality shaped by the pre-conciliar liturgy. I understand this. Masses according to the 1962 Missal are celebrated every Sunday at the church of Saint Joseph in Oslo. This will continue. If there is need of it, and if it is for the good of the Church and of souls, I will also expand this form of celebration of the Mass in our local Church.
(11) To conclude: pray for the unity of the Church. Pray for the Pope. And pray that those who have now placed themselves outside ecclesial communion may repent and return.
Praised be Jesus Christ! Praised be his holy name!
Given at the Curia of Oslo, 3 July 2026, feast of the holy Apostle Thomas.
+ Fredrik Hansen
Bishop of Oslo