What to know about the excommunicated Catholic sect known as SSPX and its ties to Kansas

In St. Marys, Kansas, the ultra-traditionalist Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) has established a significant presence, including a large church and a strong influence on local politics. This sect, which adheres to pre-Vatican II practices, has been excommunicated by the Catholic Church for its refusal to accept modern changes. The Vatican's recent declaration further solidified its estrangement, emphasizing the tension between traditionalist and progressive factions within Catholicism. This dynamic underscores the ongoing struggle for identity and control within the global Catholic community.