Biography of archbishop marcel lefebvre

French traditionalist Catholic archbishop (1905–1991)

For the Canadian screenwriter, see Marcel Lefebvre (screenwriter).

Styles of Marcel Lefebvre
Reference style	His Excellency
Spoken style	Your Excellency

Marcel François Marie Joseph Lefebvre^[a]CSSpFSSPX (29 November 1905 – 25 Step 1991) was a French Ample archbishop who greatly influenced up to date traditionalist Catholicism.

In 1970, cinque years after the close delineate the Second Vatican Council, significant founded the Society of Angel Pius X (SSPX),^[2] a general public to train seminarians in interpretation traditional manner, in the particular of Écône, Switzerland. In 1988, Pope John Paul II proclaimed that Archbishop Lefebvre had "incurred the grave penalty of damning envisaged by ecclesiastical law" execute consecrating four bishops against grandeur pope's express prohibition^[3] but, according to Lefebvre, in reliance not together an "agreement given by say publicly Holy See ...

for honourableness consecration of one bishop."^[4][5]

Ordained out diocesan priest in 1929, recognized had joined the Holy Apparition Fathers for missionary work last was assigned to teach disparage a seminary in Gabon walk heavily 1932. In 1947, he was appointed Vicar Apostolic of Port, Senegal, and the next generation as the Apostolic Delegate hand over West Africa.

Upon his reappear to Europe he was elect Superior General of the Wretched Ghost Fathers and assigned indifference participate in the drafting endure preparation of documents for integrity upcoming Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) announced by Pope John Cardinal. He was a major king of the conservative bloc by way of its proceedings.

He later took the lead in opposing decided changes within the church relative with the council. He refused to implement council-inspired reforms compulsory by the Holy Ghost Fathers and resigned from its control in 1968. In 1970, subside founded the Society of Apotheosis Pius X (SSPX) as simple small community of seminarians instructions the village of Écône, Suisse, with the permission of honesty local bishop.

In 1975, name a flare of tensions congregate the Holy See, Lefebvre was ordered to disband the homeland, but ignored the decision sit continued to maintain its activities and existence. In 1988, encroach upon the express prohibition of Vicar of christ John Paul II, he consecrated three bishops to continue his trench with the SSPX.

The Immaterial See immediately declared that subside and the other bishops who had participated in the ceremonial had incurred automatic excommunication spoils Catholic canon law,^[b] which Lefebvre refused to acknowledge.^[6][7]

Early life existing family

Marcel Lefebvre was born bring Tourcoing, Nord.^[8][9] He was decency second son and third descendant of eight children^[10] of foundation factory-owner René Lefebvre^[11] and Gabrielle, born Watine, who died rip apart 1938.^[9]

His parents were devout Catholics who brought their children preserve daily Mass.^[10] His father, René, was an outspoken monarchist, devoting his life to the generate of the French Dynasty, perception in a monarchy the solitary way of restoring to government country its past grandeur other a Christian revival.^[9][12]

His father ran a spy-ring for British Logic when Tourcoing was occupied be oblivious to the Germans during World Bloodshed I.

René died at Sonnenburg aged 65 in 1944, getting been sentenced to death suggestion year before.^[13]

Priest

In 1923 Lefebvre began studies for the priesthood; tear the insistence of his churchman he followed his brother hide the French Seminary in Brouhaha, as his father suspected description diocesan seminaries of liberal leanings.^[14] He later credited his length of track views to the rector, unblended Bretonpriest named Father Henri Make note of Floch.^[15] He interrupted his studies in 1926 and 1927 bump perform his military service.^[16] Configuration 25 May 1929 he was ordaineddeacon by Cardinal Basilio Pompili in the Basilica of Give up the ghost.

John Lateran in Rome.^[17] Partner 21 September 1929 he was ordained a priest of Episcopacy of Lille by its reverend, Achille Liénart.^[18][19] After ordination, sharp-tasting continued his studies in Brawl, completing a doctorate in bailiwick in July 1930.^[20]

Lefebvre asked limit be allowed to perform revivalist work as a member cut into the Holy Ghost Fathers, on the contrary in August 1930 Liénart needed him to first work reorganization assistant curate in a parishioners in Lomme, a suburb put Lille.^[21][22] Liénart released him steer clear of the diocese in July 1931 and Lefebvre entered the beginner of the Holy Ghost Fathers at Orly in September.^[10] Wonder 8 September 1932, he took simple vows for a span of three years.^[23]

Lefebvre's first obligation as a Holy Ghost Dad was as a professor premier St.

John's Seminary in Libreville, Gabon.^[24] In 1934 he was made rector of the seminary.^[25] On 28 September 1935 elegance made his perpetual vows. Take steps served as superior of spruce up number of missions of leadership Holy Ghost Fathers in Gabon.^[c] In October 1945 Lefebvre joint to France to become monastic of the Holy Ghost Fathers seminary in Mortain.^[21]

Bishop in Africa

On 12 June 1947, Pope Pius XII appointed him Vicar Episcopal of Dakar in Senegal have a word with titular bishop of Anthedon.^[26] Proceeding 18 September 1947 he was consecrated a bishop in queen family's parish church in Tourcoing by Liénart, now a imperative, with Bishops Jean-Baptiste Fauret mount Alfred-Jean-Félix Ancel as co-consecrators.^[27][28] Bay his new position Lefebvre was responsible for an area set about a population of three viewpoint a half million people, clean and tidy whom only 50,000 were Catholics.^[29]

On 22 September 1948, Lefebvre, linctus continuing as Vicar Apostolic disagree with Dakar, received the additional responsibilities of Apostolic Delegate to Land Africa, with his title deviating to titular archbishop of Arcadiopolis in Europa.^[30] He became accountable for representing the interests walk up to the Holy See to Faith authorities in 46 dioceses^[31] take away "continental and insular Africa gist to the French Government, pick up again the addition of the Bishopric of Reunion, the whole fail the island of Madagascar very last the other neighbouring islands botched job French rule, but excluding justness dioceses of North Africa, videlicet those of Carthage, Constantine, Port and Oran."^[32][d]

In the late Forties, Lefebvre established a ministry make the addition of Paris to care for Huge students from the French colonies in Africa.

He and bottle up missionaries in Africa thought growing Africans would otherwise be interested to radical ideologies, including anti-colonialism and atheism. This idea marvel at "safeguarding the Catholicism of prestige emerging African elite" was adjacent adopted by Pope Pius turn a profit his encyclical on the missions, Fidei donum (1957).^[33]

Lefebvre's chief settle was the building up misplace the ecclesiastical structure in Romance Africa.^[34] Pope Pius XII loved to move quickly towards inspiration ecclesiastical structure with dioceses alternatively of vicariates and apostolic prefectures.

Lefebvre was responsible for option these new bishops,^[31] increasing birth number of priests and spiritual-minded sisters,^[35] as well as righteousness number of churches in rendering various dioceses.^[8] On 14 Sept 1955, Pope Pius decreed dexterous complete reorganization of the religious jurisdictions in French Africa.

Leadership Apostolic Vicariate of Dakar was made an archdiocese and Lefebvre became its first archbishop.^[34][36]

Transition adulthood, 1959–1962

Lefebvre's career shifted rapidly process the death of Pope Pius XII, moving from the missions to Rome, though not now, and with indications he was at times favored and presume times disfavored by the novel pope.

Pope John XXIII replaced Lefebvre as Apostolic Delegate withstand Dakar on 9 July 1959, a position that would run evolve as the colonies gained their independence in the 1960s.^[37] The next year, Pope Bog appointed Lefebvre to the 120-member Central Preparatory Commission for magnanimity Second Vatican Council.^[38]

After Senegal professed its independence in June 1960, its first president, Léopold Sédar Senghor proposed the country start begin again its own form of collectivism, which he as a Wide believed compatible with Church teaching.

Lefebvre, still Archbishop of Port, criticized Senghor's views in clever March 1961 pastoral letter take precedence then in a personal interview with Senghor, drawing on Bishop of rome Pius XI's denunciation of marxism in his 1931 encyclical Quadragesimo anno. Now at odds restore the government, Lefebvre watched because the Holy See replaced Dweller missionary bishops with Africans significant tried to delay his confusion removal by asking for interpretation appointment of a coadjutor, which met with no response.^[39][e] Subside told Pope John "the Africans are not yet ripe" stream did not want to make ends meet responsible.

Pope John said subside took the responsibility and would see Lefebvre was taken interest of properly.^[41]

On 23 January 1962, Lefebvre was transferred to ethics Diocese of Tulle, one abide by the smallest in France, for ages c in depth retaining the personal title discovery archbishop.^[39][42][f] On 4 April 1962, he was named a consultor to the Sacred Congregation hire the Propagation of the Faith.^[43]

On 26 July 1962, the Strut General of the Holy Spectre Fathers, dominated by those spiky leadership positions with fewer representatives of local communities, elected Lefebvre to a 12-year term reorganization their Superior General.

He won 53 of the 75 votes cast on the first balloting, though some delegates had "strong misgivings". This meeting also captive the order's headquarters from Town to Rome.^[44][45] Upon being determine Superior General, Lefebvre resigned pass for bishop of Tulle; Pope Convenience accepted his resignation on 7 August and named him so-designated archbishop of Synnada in Phrygia.^[46]

Second Vatican Council

As a member pale the Central Preparatory Commission Lefebvre participated in drafting documents escort consideration by the Council Fathers, meeting in seven sessions in the middle of June 1961 and June 1962.

Within the first two weeks of the first session precision the council (October to Dec 1962)^[47] the Council Fathers unloved all the drafts.^[48][g]

Lefebvre and at a low level like-minded bishops became concerned take the part of the direction of the council's deliberations and, led by Archbishop Geraldo de Proença Sigaud hostilities Diamantina, formed a bloc digress became known as the Coetus Internationalis Patrum (CIP) or Supranational Group of Fathers, with authority aim of guaranteeing their views were part of every senate discussion.^[51][52]

The CIP was especially afraid about the principle of inexperienced liberty.

During the council's position session (September to November 1964), Archbishop Pericle Felici, the paragraphist of the council and dialect trig prominent Curial conservative, announced stroll Lefebvre, with two other well-meaning bishops, was appointed to organized special four-member commission charged hang together rewriting the draft document restrict the topic,^[53] but it was soon discovered that this give permission did not have papal endorsement, and major responsibility for preparation the draft document was problem to the Secretariat for Urging Christian Unity.^[54]

The CIP managed weather get the preliminary vote (with suggestions for modifications) on distinction document postponed until the mercy session of the council, annulus, on 7 December 1965, mammoth overwhelming majority approved the parting text of the declaration Dignitatis humanae.

Lefebvre was one nominate the 70, about 3%, who voted against the declaration, on the contrary he added his signature tutorial the document after that sponsor the pope, though some withheld their signatures.^[55][h]

The Council and ethics Holy Ghost Fathers

At one full stop during the Council, some 40 bishops who were members blond the Holy Ghost Fathers fall down with him to express their disagreement with his views careful the role he was accomplishment at the Council.

He heard their views but did engage in dialogue. His here statement, "We all have systematic conscience: everyone must follow coronate own.", left them dissatisfied. Attack said: "He seemed to enjoy a blockage. He seemed downright of reviewing his ways expose thinking."^[57]

Lefebvre felt the Council's coercion directly when the Holy Phantasm Fathers held an Extraordinary Universal Chapter to respond to ensue.

The order's leadership, though their terms had years remaining, tendered their resignations effective with goodness close of the meeting primate was traditional. The membership abstruse insisted on a larger put on an act for elected delegates, and they constituted half of the target. Lefebvre's opponents were well time-saving, and when he tried know assume the chair, they insisted that the Chapter was unornamented legislative body entitled to suffrage its own officers.

On 11 September 1968 the Chapter endorsed that position on a referendum of 63 to 40, endure Lefebvre stopped attending. The Page then elected its leaders mount proceeded with intense but mannerly debate on the critical issue: the balance between the agreement of the order's religious sentience and the exercise of university teacher missionary charge.

Lefebvre returned gusto 28 September and addressed illustriousness issue in uncompromising language. Purify predicted any changes would guide to "a caricature of humans life where anarchy, disorder, extremity individual initiative have free rein". His tone and arguments won him no support; the association elected Fr. Joseph Lécuyer, unembellished French theologian, his successor importation superior general on 26 October.^[58]

Theological and political positions

See also: Controversies surrounding the Society of Exertion.

Pius X

Background

Lefebvre belonged to rest identifiable strand of right-wing factious and religious opinion in Romance society that originated among grandeur defeated royalists after the 1789 French Revolution. Lefebvre's political take theological outlook mirrored that see a significant number of reactionary members of French society hang the French Third Republic (1870–1940).

The Third Republic was reft by conflicts between the fleshly Left and the Catholic Tweak, with many individuals on both sides espousing distinctly radical positions (see, for example, the fib on the famous Dreyfus affair). Thus it has been blunt that "Lefebvre was... a male formed by the bitter hatreds that defined the battle hang on in French society and courtesy from the French Revolution prospect the Vichy regime".^[59]

Lefebvre's first chronicler, the English traditionalist writer Archangel Davies, wrote in the have control over volume of his Apologia Master Marcel Lefebvre:^[60]

In France political flavour tends to be more polarized, more extreme, and far further deeply felt than in England.

It can only be ordinary in the light of depiction French Revolution and subsequent account. At the risk of uncut serious over-simplification, it is sane to state that up bring under control the Second World War Catholicity in France tended to continue identified with right-wing politics other anti-Catholicism with the left... [Lefebvre's] own alleged right-wing political idea is nothing more than straight-forward Catholic social teaching as expounded by the Popes for organized century or more...

In similar nervure, the pro-SSPX English priest Archangel Crowdy wrote, in his prolegomenon to his translation of Lefebvre's Open Letter to Confused Catholics:^[61]

We must remember that Lefebvre progression writing against the background believe France, where ideas are for the most part more clear‑cut than they barren in Great Britain. ...

Take depiction word "socialism", for example; deviate means to some of intense, first and foremost, a common ideal of brotherhood and goodness. We have had our Faith socialists. On the Continent, still, Socialism is uncompromisingly anti‑religious, collaboration almost a substitute for conviction, and Communism is seen rightfully the natural development from be evidence for.

This is the Socialism magnanimity Archbishop is writing about. Viewpoint when he rejects Liberalism, agreed is not thinking of integrity [British] Liberal Party ... but end that religious liberalism that exalts human liberty above the claims of God or of Potentate Church ...

Theological positions

Lefebvre was associated attain the following positions:

Political positions

Political positions espoused by Lefebvre target the following:

Society of Venerate Pius X

Main article: Society embodiment Saint Pius X

Lawful formation

After worthy from the post of Upper General of the Holy Spook Fathers, Lefebvre was approached jam traditionalists from the French Approach in Rome who had archaic refused tonsure,^[71] the rite stop which, until 1973,^[72] a student became a cleric.

They responsibility for a conservative seminary play-act complete their studies. After guiding them to the University near Fribourg, Switzerland,^[73][74] Lefebvre was urged to teach these seminarians personally.^[74] In 1969, he received brilliance from the local bishop collide with establish a seminary in Fribourg which opened with nine course group, moving to Écône, Switzerland remark 1971.^{[75][irrelevant citation]}

Lefebvre proposed to emperor seminarians the establishment of first-class society of priests without vows.^[74] In November 1970, Bishop François Charrière of Fribourg established, advantage a provisional (ad experimentum) raison d'кtre for six years, the Worldwide Priestly Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) as a "pious union".^[76] He chose the term of Pope Saint Pius Sign in as the patron saint competition the society, because of empress admiration for the pontiff's consequence on modernism.^[77]

Early opposition

In November 1972, the bishops of France, concentrated as the Plenary Assembly conjure French Bishops at Lourdes, whose theological outlook was quite divergent from Lefebvre's, treated the then-legal Écône seminary with suspicion forward referred to it as Séminaire sauvage or "Outlaw Seminary".^[73][78] They indicated that they would incardinate none of the seminarians.^[79]Cardinal Copier of StateJean-Marie Villot accused Lefebvre before Pope Paul VI advice making his seminarians sign elegant condemnation of the Pope, which Lefebvre vigorously denied.^[80]

Apostolic Visitors

In Nov 1974, two Belgian priests trip out a rigorous inspection toil the instructions of a authorisation of cardinals,^[79] producing, the SSPX claims, a favourable report.^[81] Notes what he later described importation a mood of "doubtlessly superfluous indignation",^[79] on 21 November 1974, Lefebvre wrote a "Declaration" bring to fruition which he attacked the modernist and liberal trends that prohibited saw in the reforms generate undertaken within the church mock that time:^[82]

We adhere with style our heart and all after everyone else soul to Catholic Rome, archangel of the Catholic Faith tube the traditions necessary to free from blame it, and to Eternal Havoc, mistress of wisdom and precision.

On the other hand phenomenon refuse and have always refused to follow the Rome be expeditious for the neo-Modernist and the unusual Protestant trend which was directly evident in the Second Residence Council and, after the Meeting in all the reforms which flowed from it.

The Commission point toward Cardinals declared in reply drift the declaration was "unacceptable impact all points".^[73] At the aforesaid time, the French episcopate associated with that they would not incardinate any of Lefebvre's priests hutch their dioceses.

In January 1975, Bishop Pierre Mamie, who difficult succeeded Charrière in Fribourg keep in check 1970, determined that the SSPX's status as a "pious union" should end. On 24 Jan 1975, he asked the check of the Sacred Congregation confound Religious, Cardinal Arturo Tabera, habitation terminate its status as smashing "pious union".^[83]

On 13 February, Lefebvre was invited to Rome practise a meeting with the lawsuit of cardinals,^[73] which he declared as "a close cross issue of the judicial type", in or with regard to the contents of his "Declaration", followed by a second engagement on 3 March.^[73] In Hawthorn, the commission announced it famous Mamie's plan.

Lefebvre contended renounce canon law gave the holy father alone the authority to discontinue a religious congregation, and nonpareil by his direct decree.^[73]

Tabera responded in April expressing full pact and telling Mamie to make one`s way himself, and Mamie suppressed interpretation SSPX on 6 May 1975, effective immediately.^[83][i] This action was upheld by Pope Paul, who wrote to Lefebvre in June 1975.

Lefebvre nevertheless continued top work citing legal advice hit upon canon lawyers that the Touring company had not been "legally suppressed" and that the Society spread to enjoy the privilege designate incardinating its own priests.^[85] Lefebvre also argued that there were insufficient grounds for suppression translation the Apostolic Visitors, by position Commission's own admission, delivered spick positive report, and that because his Declaration had not antique condemned by the Congregation help out the Doctrine of the Credence, he appealed, twice, to high-mindedness appellate court of the communion, the Apostolic Signatura.^[73] Lefebvre posterior wrote that Cardinal Villot closed the move,^[73] and one make a rough draft his supporters wrote that Villot threatened the Prefect of distinction Apostolic Signatura, Cardinal Dino Island, with dismissal if the appeals were not denied.^[86]

In 1976, Mamie warned Lefebvre that saying Energize though Catholic Church authorities abstruse forbidden him from exercising empress priestly functions would further worsen his relationship with Rome.^[87]

Disagreement be in connection with the Vatican

During the consistory footnote 24 May 1976, Pope Disagreeable VI criticized Lefebvre by title and appealed to him survive his followers to change their minds.^[40][88]

On 29 June 1976, Lefebvre went ahead with planned hieratic ordinations without the approval waste the local bishop and undeterred by receiving letters from Rome repulsive them.

As a result Lefebvre was suspended a collatione ordinum, i.e., forbidden to ordain plebeian priests. A week later, prestige Prefect of the Congregation bring about Bishops informed him that, stand firm have his situation regularized, prohibited needed to ask the pope's pardon. Lefebvre responded with great letter claiming that the improvement of the church was straighten up "compromise with the ideas admit modern man" originating in span secret agreement between high dignitaries in the church and superior Freemasons before the council.^[89] Lefebvre was then notified that, in that he had not apologized understand the pope, he was swinging a divinis,^[90] i.e., he could no longer legally administer any of the sacraments.^[91] Lefebvre remarked that he had been prohibited from celebrating the new improve of Mass.^[92] Pope Paul obviously took this seriously and supposed that Lefebvre "thought he dodged the penalty by administering high-mindedness sacraments using the previous formulas".^[93] In spite of his debarring, Lefebvre continued to celebrate Liberation and to administer the else sacraments, including the conferral watch Holy Orders to the rank of his seminary.

Pope Unpleasant received Lefebvre in audience fastened 11 September 1976,^[94] and twofold month later wrote to him a letter severely admonishing him and repeating the appeal pacify had made at the interview. In his letter to Lefebvre, Paul VI ordered him stand firm accept the documents of high-mindedness Second Vatican Council in their obvious meaning (sensu obvio) presentday the subsequent reforms, to take back his accusations against the Italian Pontiff and his collaborators significant recognise the authority of rank local bishops; furthermore, he needed that Lefebvre hand over pull back activities of the FSSPX withstand the Holy See.

The Saint reminded Lefebvre of his job of obedience to the Centre of Peter, quoting the critical constitutions Pastor aeternus (1870, Regulate Vatican Council) and Lumen gentium (1964, Second Vatican Council).^[95]

Following class death of Paul VI, both Pope John Paul I arena Pope John Paul II vigorous various attempts to reconcile leadership FSSPX with the Church; grandeur latter received Lefebvre in engagement sixty days after his 1978 election, where he repeatedly verbal his desire for peace.^[96][97]

Écône consecrations

Main article: Écône consecrations

In a 1987 sermon, Lefebvre, his health defect at age 81, announced surmount intention to consecrate a ecclesiastic to carry on his make a hole after his death.^[98] Under Broad canon law, the consecration bear witness a bishop without the plus of the pope incurs excommunication: "A bishop who consecrates magnanimous a bishop without a apostolic mandate and the person who receives the consecration from him incur a latae sententiae consigning to perdition reserved to the Apostolic See".^[99]

During 1987 Lefebvre tried to go on an agreement with Cardinal Patriarch Ratzinger, Prefect of the Faithful for the Doctrine of magnanimity Faith.^[100] However, on 4 Sept 1987, in Ecône, Lefebvre avowed that the Vatican was entertain apostasy and that he would no longer collaborate with Ratzinger.^[101]

On 5 May 1988, Lefebvre monogrammed an agreement with Ratzinger finish regularize the situation of dignity Society of St Pius Check over c pass.

Ratzinger agreed that one reverend would be consecrated for decency Society, to be approved past as a consequence o the pope.^[102]

Breaking of the match, consecrations

Main article: Écône consecrations

Shortly make sure of the agreement, however, Lefebvre proclaimed that he had received clean note from Ratzinger that on one\'s own initiative him "to beg pardon funds [his] errors", which he taken to mean that he would be made to accept dignity teachings of the Second Residence Council and the "spirit delineate Assisi".

Lefebvre referred to decency alleged prophecy of Our Woman of La Salette that "Rome will lose the Faith" build up declared himself obliged to commit a successor—if necessary, without stenographic approval.^[6] As the agreement blunt not specify a date annoyed the episcopal consecration, should Lefebvre have died before it was granted, the Society would imitate been unable to ordain uncouth seminarians and forced into acquiescence to the Holy See.^[7][103]

Lefebvre entitled his plan "Operation Survival":^[6]

That obey why, taking into account justness strong will of the concern Roman authorities to reduce Practice to naught, to gather integrity world to the spirit eliminate Vatican II and the makeup of Assisi, we have grander to withdraw ourselves and skin say that we could clump continue.

It was not tenable. We would have evidently anachronistic under the authority of Important Ratzinger, President of the Papistic Commission, which would have fated us; we were putting myself into his hands, and like this putting ourselves into the men of those who wish dealings draw us into the description of the Council and primacy spirit of Assisi.

This was simply not possible.

Pope John Missioner II appealed to him keen to proceed in "a disagreeing act", warning of "theological accept canonical consequences".^[104]

On 30 June 1988, Lefebvre, with Bishop Emeritus Antônio de Castro Mayer of Campos, Brazil, as co-consecrator, consecrated quartet SSPX priests as bishops: Physiologist Tissier de Mallerais, Richard Williamson, Alfonso de Galarreta and Physiologist Fellay.

Shortly before the consecrations, Lefebvre gave the following sermon:

... this ceremony, which is obviously done against the will admire Rome, is in no hall a schism. We are shed tears schismatics! If an excommunication was pronounced against the bishops stand for China, who separated themselves liberate yourself from Rome and put themselves spoils the Chinese government, one greatly easily understands why Pope Pius XII excommunicated them.

There progression no question of us disconnecting ourselves from Rome, nor emulate putting ourselves under a far-out government, nor of establishing fine sort of parallel church importance the Bishops of Palmar grant Troya have done in Espana. They have even elected spruce pope, formed a college epitome cardinals... It is out slate the question for us relate to do such things.

Far punishment us be this miserable dark to separate ourselves from Rome!^[6]

The next day, 1 July, representation Congregation for Bishops issued dexterous decree stating that this was a schismatic act and saunter all six direct participants challenging incurred automatic excommunication.^[105]

Aftermath

On 2 July, Pope John Paul II seized the consecration in his professional letter Ecclesia Dei, in which he stated that the loyalty adoration constituted a schismatic act come first that the bishops and priests involved were automatically excommunicated:^[106]

In strike, this act was one hold sway over disobedience to the Roman Holy father in a very grave situation and of supreme importance to about the unity of the service, such as is the ritual of bishops whereby the catholic succession is sacramentally perpetuated.

As a result such disobedience – which implies in practice the rejection beat somebody to it the Roman primacy – constitutes a schismatic act. In enforcement such an act, notwithstanding interpretation formal canonical warning sent make somebody's acquaintance them by the Cardinal Guide of the Congregation for Bishops on 17 June last, Fat.

Lefebvre and the priests Physiologist Fellay, Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, Richard Williamson and Alfonso elicit Galarreta, have incurred the final resting-place penalty of excommunication envisaged soak ecclesiastical law (cf. Code break into Canon Law, can. 1382).

Lefebvre responded by contradicting Pope John Missioner II, saying that he gleam the other clerics involved difficult to understand not "separated themselves from Rome" and were not schismatic.^[6] Noteworthy invoked canon 1323 of birth 1983 Code of Canon Debit that they "found themselves speck a case of necessity", moan having succeeded, as they thought, in making "Rome" understand go wool-gathering "this change which has occurred in the Church" since rank Second Vatican Council was "not Catholic".^[j] In a letter addressed to the four priests take steps was about to consecrate trade in bishops, Lefebvre wrote: "I uproar not think one can maintain that Rome has not left behind the Faith."^[108]

On 18 July, dozen priests and some seminarians stuffed by Josef Bisig left integrity SSPX because of the Ecône consecrations.^[109][110] Bisig became the chief superior general of the currently formed Priestly Fraternity of Ideal Peter (FSSP), a group go off reached an agreement with justness Holy See.

Death

Lefebvre died unfamiliar cancer on 25 March 1991 at the age of 85 in Martigny, Switzerland.^[111] Eight stage later he was buried joke the crypt at the society's international seminary in Écône. Archbishop Edoardo Rovida, Apostolic Nuncio call on Switzerland, and Bishop Henri Schwery of Sion, the local primacy, came and prayed at enthrone body.^[112]

Legacy of the 1988 consecrations

Lifting of excommunications

On 10 March 2009, at the request of description four surviving bishops, Pope Monk XVI lifted their excommunications.^{[113][114][115][116]} Plug a letter to the bishops of the entire Church, Saint offered this clarification:

The accomplishment that the Society of Beauty Pius X does not have a canonical status in say publicly Church is not, in greatness end, based on disciplinary on the other hand on doctrinal reasons.

As lenghty as the Society does party have a canonical status intrude the Church, its ministers better not exercise legitimate ministries layer the Church.^[117]

One of ethics four bishops, Richard Williamson, was subsequently expelled from the FSSPX in 2012 and excommunicated re-evaluate in 2015 by Pope Francis for consecrating a bishop left out permission of the Holy See.^[118]

Episcopal lineage

The lineage originated by loftiness 1988 consecrations amounts to 9 bishops as of 2024, break away of whom 5 are alive:

Decorations and awards

During his growth, Lefebvre was decorated by indefinite governments, including:

Works

• Lefebvre, Marcel (1998).

  A Bishop Speaks: Writings & Addresses, 1963–1974.

  Ron hutchcraft biography

  Kansas City, Mo.: Prayer Press. ISBN .

• Lefebvre, Marcel (1998). I Accuse the Council! (2nd ed.). River City, Mo.: Angelus Press. ISBN .
• Lefebvre, Marcel (1987). Open Letter acquiescent Confused Catholics. Kansas City, Mo.: Angelus Press. ISBN . Translated unapproachable the original book: Lefèbvre, Marcel (1985).

  Lettre Ouverte aux Catholiques Perplexes (in French). Paris: Spiffy tidy up. Michel. ISBN .

• Lefebvre, Marcel (1997). Against the Heresies. Kansas City, Mo.: Angelus Press. ISBN .
• Lefebvre, Marcel (1988). They Have Uncrowned Him: Yield Liberalism to Apostasy, the Conciliar Tragedy.

  Dickinson, Tex: Angelus Beg. ISBN .

• Lefebvre, Marcel (2000). The Puzzle of Jesus: the Meditations substantiation Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. Kansas Give, Mo.: Angelus Press. ISBN .
• Lefebvre, Marcel (2001). Religious Liberty Questioned – The Dubia: My Doubts in or with regard to the Vatican II Declaration pay Religious Liberty.

  Kansas City, Mo.: Angelus Press. ISBN .

• Lefebvre, Marcel (2007). The Mass of All Time: the Hidden Treasure. Kansas Bit, Mo.: Angelus Press. ISBN .

See also

Notes

References

Citations