More than 1.5 million — including 44 cardinals and 417 bishops from across the globe — flocked in 1976 to Philadelphia for the 41st International Eucharistic Congress.
U.S. bishops issued statements expressing sorrow, warning faithful and urging prayers for unity after the excommunication of the Society of St. Pius X, or SSPX.
The prior of Oxford University’s Blackfriars Hall said the SSPX should not be confused with traditionalist groups who remained faithful to the Catholic Church.