Nelson Morales

Cubao Bishop Elias Ayuban Jr. during an interview with ABS-CBN News in his former office in Quezon City. 📷 Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

The newly appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Cubao, Father Elias Ayuban, CMF, during an interview with ABS-CBN News at the Claretian Provincial House in Quezon City on November 20, 2024.

Article (news)

Bishop Elias Ayuban CMF

Erik Tenedero

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1783503932155Cubao Bishop Elias Ayuban Jr.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Cubao Bishop Elias Ayuban Jr. during an interview with ABS-CBN News in his former office in Quezon City. 📷 Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Cubao Bishop Elias Ayuban Jr. during an interview with ABS-CBN News in his former office in Quezon City. 📷 Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News  </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA - The Diocese of Cubao has announced that it will explore the possibility of conducting more Traditional Latin Masses following the Vatican&#x27;s excommunication of a breakaway society that is attached to the old form of the Holy Mass.</p><p><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/12/2/who-is-elias-ayuban-cubao-s-second-bishop-the-clue-lies-in-his-name-2223">Cubao Bishop Elias Ayuban Jr</a>., in a pastoral letter dated July 6, 2026, expressed his &quot;deepest sentiments&quot; to the members of the Society of Saint Piux X (SSPX) and those who have been attending its liturgies.</p><p>&quot;I am saddened that many of you, our dear lay faithful, who have sincerely worshipped at liturgies celebrated by the society, now find yourselves not only in a painful moment of discernment but also of being deprived of the sacraments,&quot; the bishop said.</p><p>&quot;You are also God&#x27;s children, our brothers and sisters who have genuinely loved the sacred liturgy and seriously devoted yourselves to Catholic tradition.&quot;</p><p>The Vatican, through the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, excommunicated the SSPX after consecrating bishops last July 1, 2026 at its headquarters in Écône, Switzerland without permission from the pope.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2026/7/2/vatican-excommunicates-6-ultraconservative-bishops-over-ordination-1545">READ: Vatican excommunicates 6 ultraconservative bishops over ordination</a></div><p>In the Catholic Church, the mandate to ordain bishops is exclusively reserved to the pope.</p><p>Established in 1970, the late Archbishop Marcel Lefebre established the SSPX as a response to the reforms established by the Second Vatican Council, including the Traditional Latin Mass or the Mass of the 1962 Roman Missal.</p><p>The SSPX exclusively uses the forms of liturgies prior to the reforms of the Second Vatican Council.</p><p>In 1988, Lefebre was excommunicated along with four bishops he consecrated without the mandate of the pontiff. Pope John Paul II declared the act as schism.</p><p>Since then, the SSPX has been considered in schism from the Catholic Church despite the society insisting that they remain Catholic and recognizes the authority of the pope.</p><p>In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI, in his attempt to reconcile with the SSPX, lifted the excommunication of the four surviving bishops.</p><p>Excommunication, in the Catholic Church, is the most serious penalty in the Code of Canon Law. An excommunicated person is prohibited from receiving and administering sacraments, as well as from exercising any ecclesiastical offices and duties.</p><p>In the recent decree of excommunication, the Vatican warned that even lay members who &quot;formally adhere&quot; to the group will also incur the penalty of excommunication.</p><p>As a response, Bishop Ayuban urged the clergy and the faithful of his diocese to welcome members of the society &quot;with charity, understanding, and patience.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Through preaching and catechism, may we avoid condemnation but approach the matter with pastoral tact and sensitivity,&quot; the bishop added.</p><p>Meanwhile, Ayuban said the Traditional Latin Mass will continue to be celebrated in the diocese while exploring the possibility of increasing the number of such masses, in accordance with the guidelines imposed by Pope Francis during his pontificate.  </p><p>The diocese will also organize a group of priests and lay faithful to &quot;provide information, counseling, and pastoral assistance&quot; for the spiritual needs of those who follow the society.</p><p>&quot;As we encourage the priests and lay faithful of the society to seek reconciliation with the Church, we shall together collaborate and reflect on concrete opportunities and means for dialogue.&quot;</p><p>The Our Lady of Victories Church in New Manila, Quezon City, which falls within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Diocese of Cubao, is considered the headquarters of the SSPX in the Philippines.</p><p>In 1997, Bishop Bernard Fellay, one of the leading figures of the SSPX and one of the bishops ordained by Lefebre, consecrated the Our Lady of Victories Church.</p><p>At present, the church continues to offer the Traditional Latin Mass and other sacraments.  </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LoaQidg9tBg??si=6-VfXYy6kk7V5yQV&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Diocese of Cubao has announced that it will explore the possibility of conducting more Traditional Latin Masses following the Vatican's excommunication of a breakaway society that is attached to the old form of the Holy Mass.</p>

The Diocese of Cubao has announced that it will explore the possibility of conducting more Traditional Latin Masses following the Vatican's excommunication of a breakaway society that is attached to the old form of the Holy Mass.

Cubao bishop eyes more Latin Masses after Vatican excommunication of breakaway group

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Cubao bishop eyes more Latin Masses after Vatican excommunication of breakaway group

Erik Tenedero,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 08, 2026 05:46 PM PHT

Read More:

SSPX

Excommunication

Vatican

Holy See

Diocese of Cubao

Cubao Bishop Elias Ayuban

Catholic Church

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.