Monks punished after consecrating bishop without Pope's approval

A group of rebel monks in Orkney is being punished by the Catholic church after appointing a bishop without the approval of the Pope.

The traditionalist Order, the Sons of the Holy Redeemer, defied the Vatican to hold the consecration ceremony of its leader, Father Michael Mary, at their monastery on Papa Stronsay on Saturday.

In a statement, the diocese of Aberdeen said the monks had clearly broken with the church and were now removed from it.

The Bishop of Aberdeen is instructing his parishioners to have no dealings with the Order and its leader has been excommunicated.

In a statement, Hugh Gilbert OSB said the Diocese had completed a "canonical process and pronounced its judgement".

"Regrettably, I find Fr Michael Mary guilty of the charges brought against him, most notably that of schism," he said.

"He is therefore declared to be excommunicated, dismissed from ecclesiastical office, and prohibited from the celebration of Mass or the other sacraments."

"In the event of a sincere change of heart on his part and the making of reparation, these penalties may be lifted," he added.

The monks are a Transalpine Redemptorist community of Catholic traditionalists who deny the legitimacy of Pope Leo XIV and his predecessors for the last 60 years.

The consecration ceremony attracted international attention through the Order's online following among traditionalist Catholics across the world, especially in the Americas.

The monastery suffered tragedy in April when 24-year-old Justin Evans, also known as Brother Ignatius, went missing. His body was later recovered from the sea.