Bishop Jean-Marc Micas, P.S.S., of Tarbes and Lourdes, France, withdrew the authorization that had previously allowed priests of the Society of Saint Pius X to celebrate the sacraments at the Marian shrine of Lourdes.
“Following the decree of schism and excommunication published by the Holy See, I cannot authorize the celebration of the Mass or the other sacraments, not even the public prayers of the Society of St. Pius X within the shrine,” Bishop Micas said in an August 13 statement.
“On the other hand, it is obviously possible that whoever so desires can freely come to the grotto or other places at the shrine to pray privately,” he added. “We are deeply pained by the tearing of Christ’s tunic caused by our divisions.”