Pope Leo XIV’s appointment of a bishop who supports women’s ordination has reignited fears of doctrinal collapse within the Catholic Church.
At a Glance
- Pope Leo XIV appointed Fr. Beat Grögli bishop of St. Gallen, despite his support for women’s ordination
- Grögli has publicly stated “The women’s priesthood will come,” violating established doctrine
- He permits women to read the Gospel and preach at Mass, contrary to canon law
- The St. Gallen diocese has long been linked to progressive dissent, including the “St. Gallen Mafia”
- This follows Pope Leo’s promotion of Sister Tiziana Merletti to a high Vatican office
Progressive Takeover in a Historic Diocese
The Vatican’s confirmation of Fr. Beat Grögli as bishop of St. Gallen has ignited backlash across Catholic communities. Known for his public support of women’s ordination, Grögli has openly declared “The women’s priesthood will come,” in direct contradiction to Pope John Paul II’s authoritative 1994 apostolic letter Ordinatio Sacerdotalis, which affirmed that the Church “has no authority whatsoever” to ordain women.
Grögli’s actions—allowing women to read the Gospel and give homilies—flout canon law, further highlighting the Vatican’s willingness to elevate those openly challenging settled teaching. His ordination, scheduled for July 5, 2025, will mark a symbolic turning point for a diocese already synonymous with ideological conflict.
Watch a report: Bishop Grögli’s Rise Sparks Doctrinal Alarm.
The St. Gallen Legacy Revisited
St. Gallen is no ordinary diocese—it was once the meeting place of the controversial “St. Gallen Mafia,” a group of clerics who opposed Pope Benedict XVI and promoted the rise of Pope Francis. The network included prominent progressives such as Cardinals Godfried Danneels and Walter Kasper and advocated for modernizing reforms on issues like marriage and sexuality.
Grögli was ordained by Bishop Ivo Fürer, a founding figure of this dissident circle. Fürer’s tenure was marred by accusations of abuse cover-ups, and his ideological successor Bishop Markus Büchel—who currently administers the diocese—is known for his support of LGBT inclusion and reinterpretation of Catholic doctrine.
The continuity is stark: progressive bishops continue to promote candidates who share their heterodox leanings, turning St. Gallen into what many now regard as ground zero for theological dissent in Europe.
A Broader Vatican Pattern Emerges
Fr. Grögli’s appointment is not an outlier. Pope Leo XIV has recently elevated Sister Tiziana Merletti, former Superior General of the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor, to the position of Secretary of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life. While women’s leadership roles are not new, critics note that the appointments are often linked to individuals who support a broader redefinition of ecclesiastical authority, particularly concerning holy orders.
Supporters argue these moves reflect Pope Francis’ reforms under Praedicate Evangelium, which opened the door for lay women to hold senior Vatican posts. Detractors contend the real goal is to normalize dissent against the magisterium by rewarding voices once considered marginal.
The concern for many faithful Catholics is that the Church’s identity is being reshaped not by council or synod, but by appointment. Strategic placements of dissenting clerics and reformist religious are creating a de facto shift in doctrine without any formal theological process.
For defenders of orthodoxy, the trajectory is alarming—and the appointment of Bishop Grögli may be seen as a bellwether for a rapidly transforming Church.
