Pope Benedict XVI. Plans by a breakaway sect to ordain more than 20 men as priests have been condemned by the Vatican. Photographer: Tiziana Fabi/AFPVatican Defied Over Rebel Catholic Ordinations
• Society of St Pius X plans to ordain more than 20 men
• Holy See condemns 'illegitimate' ceremony
A rebel Catholic sect is defying the Vatican by pressing ahead with plans to ordain more than 20 men as priests and deacons.
The Society of St Pius X, which rose to notoriety this year when it emerged that one of its members, Richard Williamson, was a Holocaust denier, said it would proceed with this month's ordinations in Germany, Switzerland and the US in spite of the Vatican insisting they are "illegitimate".
A statement posted on an SSPX website questioned whether, in an era of plummeting numbers in the priesthood, the Vatican was wise in attempting to frustrate the ambitions of men who wished to serve the church.
It also denied the ordinations were intended as a snub to Benedict XVI, who plunged the church into crisis when he reversed the excommunication of Williamson and three other SSPX bishops.
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