In the time that Most Reverend James Checchio has been Archbishop of New Orleans, there are a few things that have become very clear to him about the Catholic Church in Southeast Louisiana. Amongst his observations are the people here are faithful and loyal, and that the Church, though wounded, is vibrant and in a season of renewal.

Having heard that the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X consecrated four new bishops this week against the explicit will of our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, and with disregard of his public cries for unity and his prior request for them to not proceed with the consecrations, I was truly disheartened. Whenever there is division in the Church, the entire body of Christ is affected. “If one part of the body suffers, all the parts suffer with it,” (1 Cor. 12:26)