The Society of St. Pius X (SSPX), a traditionalist Catholic group known for its adherence to the Latin Mass and conservative practices, maintains a presence in the Chicago area but faces ongoing scrutiny over allegations of sexual abuse within its ranks. Though some cases have surfaced publicly, the full extent of abuse claims within the international organization remains unclear.

SSPX, which operates a church in Oak Park and a priory on the Northwest Side of Chicago, describes itself as committed to the safety of all members and guests attending its chapels, schools, and events. Its official statements condemn sexual abuse unequivocally and emphasize cooperation with judicial authorities. However, unlike many mainstream Catholic religious orders that publish lists of clergy credibly accused of abuse, the SSPX does not provide such public transparency concerning alleged offenders in the United States.

Requests for specific information regarding accused members were declined by SSPX representatives, who referred questions to local judicial processes. A written statement from SSPX leadership stressed that accusations are subject to canonical examination and handled according to local laws, with full cooperation extended to civil investigations.

Experts note that SSPX, which holds an “irregular” canonical status and is not technically recognized as a religious order within the Catholic Church, has had sexual abuse cases but not necessarily at a higher rate than other Catholic groups. Italian sociologist Massimo Introvigne, who studies the society, observed that although abuse cases exist, addressing the issue is not prioritized within the group as it might be in the mainstream Church.

In 2023, a French SSPX priest was sentenced to 20 years in prison for sexually abusing 27 minors, highlighting the presence of abuse within the global organization. In the United States, investigations are ongoing. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the state attorney general continue to examine allegations involving SSPX clergy. However, a 2023 report by the Illinois attorney general on abusive clergy statewide did not mention the society.

SSPX’s U.S. headquarters is located in Missouri, overseeing approximately 700 priests and roughly 600,000 followers worldwide. The group also operates a boys’ boarding school near Danville, Illinois, alongside its Chicago-area places of worship. One former SSPX priest, William T. Welsh, became the subject of a federal extradition request from Australia, where he faced child sex abuse charges. The case, first initiated in 2020, attracted attention due to its international implications.

While public accountability measures such as offender registries have been endorsed by survivors to aid healing and prevent future abuse, SSPX’s limited transparency and distinct canonical status have contributed to questions about the scope of abuse and the society’s response to allegations. The broader Catholic Church continues to wrestle with similar challenges of disclosure and accountability related to sexual abuse within its institutions.