Quick takeaways

• The post-conciliar period in the Catholic Church saw a growing divide between progressive and traditionalist factions, particularly related to disagreements over the interpretation and implementation of the Council's documents, with liturgical reforms being a major point of contention.

• The negotiations between the traditionalist movement, represented by the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX), and the Vatican were marked by trust issues and a perceived lack of sincerity, ultimately leading to excommunication and a formal schism between the SSPX and the Catholic Church.

• The efforts to accommodate traditionalists within the Church while maintaining control and governance, such as the establishment of the Ecclesia Dei commission and the formation of the Fraternity of St. Peter, proved limited and fell short of fully satisfying the demands of traditionalists.

Deep dives