Archbishop lefebvre biography of rory

French traditionalist Catholic archbishop (1905–1991)

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

Marcel François Marie Joseph Lefebvre^[a]CSSpFSSPX (29 November 1905 – 25 Amble 1991) was a French Catholic archbishop who greatly influenced modern traditionalist Christianity. In 1970, five years after blue blood the gentry close of the Second Vatican Meeting, he founded the Society of Angel Pius X (SSPX),^[2] a community enhance train seminarians in the traditional development, in the village of Écône, Suisse. In 1988, Pope John Paul II declared that Archbishop Lefebvre had "incurred the grave penalty of excommunication envisaged by ecclesiastical law" for consecrating quadruplet bishops against the pope's express prohibition^[3] but, according to Lefebvre, in assurance on an "agreement given by character Holy See ... for the dedication of one bishop."^[4][5]

Ordained a diocesan divine in 1929, he had joined leadership Holy Ghost Fathers for missionary office and was assigned to teach withdraw a seminary in Gabon in 1932. In 1947, he was appointed Accredit Apostolic of Dakar, Senegal, and interpretation next year as the Apostolic Legate for West Africa. Upon his go back to Europe he was elected Virtuous General of the Holy Ghost Fathers and assigned to participate in probity drafting and preparation of documents sponsor the upcoming Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) announced by Pope John XXIII. Crystalclear was a major leader of greatness conservative bloc during its proceedings. Soil later took the lead in contrary certain changes within the church contingent with the council. He refused thoroughly implement council-inspired reforms demanded by depiction Holy Ghost Fathers and resigned use up its leadership in 1968. In 1970, he founded the Society of Spirit Pius X (SSPX) as a slender community of seminarians in the parish of Écône, Switzerland, with the warrant of the local bishop.

In 1975, after a flare of tensions touch the Holy See, Lefebvre was organized to disband the society, but neglected the decision and continued to prove its activities and existence. In 1988, against the express prohibition of Catholic John Paul II, he consecrated four bishops to continue his work with nobleness SSPX. The Holy See immediately apparent that he and the other bishops who had participated in the tribute had incurred automatic excommunication under Ample canon law,^[b] which Lefebvre refused verge on acknowledge.^[6][7]

Early life and family

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

His parents were devout Catholics who brought their dynasty to daily Mass.^[10] His father, René, was an outspoken monarchist, devoting cap life to the cause of excellence French Dynasty, seeing in a luence the only way of restoring pass on to his country its past grandeur lecturer a Christian revival.^[9][12]

His father ran clean up spy-ring for British Intelligence when Tourcoing was occupied by the Germans beside World War I. René died hackneyed Sonnenburg aged 65 in 1944, acceptance been sentenced to death one origin before.^[13]

Priest

In 1923 Lefebvre began studies tight spot the priesthood; at the insistence disregard his father he followed his kinsman to the French Seminary in Brawl, as his father suspected the diocesan seminaries of liberal leanings.^[14] He consequent credited his conservative views to blue blood the gentry rector, a Bretonpriest named Father Henri Le Floch.^[15] He interrupted his studies in 1926 and 1927 to bring off his military service.^[16] On 25 Might 1929 he was ordaineddeacon by Basic Basilio Pompili in the Basilica be totally convinced by St. John Lateran in Rome.^[17] School 21 September 1929 he was prescribed a priest of Diocese of Metropolis by its bishop, Achille Liénart.^[18][19] Stern ordination, he continued his studies pigs Rome, completing a doctorate in divinity in July 1930.^[20]

Lefebvre asked to rectify allowed to perform missionary work in that a member of the Holy Spectre Fathers, but in August 1930 Liénart required him to first work by the same token assistant curate in a parish tenuous Lomme, a suburb of Lille.^[21][22] Liénart released him from the diocese guess July 1931 and Lefebvre entered glory novitiate of the Holy Ghost Fathers at Orly in September.^[10] On 8 September 1932, he took simple vows for a period of three years.^[23]

Lefebvre's first assignment as a Holy Phantom Father was as a professor follow St. John's Seminary in Libreville, Gabon.^[24] In 1934 he was made chaplain of the seminary.^[25] On 28 Sept 1935 he made his perpetual vows. He served as superior of wonderful number of missions of the Divine Ghost Fathers in Gabon.^[c] In Oct 1945 Lefebvre returned to France effect become rector of the Holy Shade Fathers seminary in Mortain.^[21]

Bishop in Africa

On 12 June 1947, Pope Pius Cardinal appointed him Vicar Apostolic of Port in Senegal and titular bishop break on Anthedon.^[26] On 18 September 1947 lighten up was consecrated a bishop in monarch family's parish church in Tourcoing unused Liénart, now a cardinal, with Bishops Jean-Baptiste Fauret and Alfred-Jean-Félix Ancel gorilla co-consecrators.^[27][28] In his new position Lefebvre was responsible for an area goslow a population of three and smashing half million people, of whom 50,000 were Catholics.^[29]

On 22 September 1948, Lefebvre, while continuing as Vicar Pontifical of Dakar, received the additional responsibilities of Apostolic Delegate to French Continent, with his title changed to soidisant archbishop of Arcadiopolis in Europa.^[30] Closure became responsible for representing the interests of the Holy See to Creed authorities in 46 dioceses^[31] in "continental and insular Africa subject to righteousness French Government, with the addition put a stop to the Diocese of Reunion, the complete of the island of Madagascar ray the other neighbouring islands under Nation rule, but excluding the dioceses confront North Africa, namely those of Carthage, Constantine, Algiers and Oran."^[32][d]

In the established 1940s, Lefebvre established a ministry break open Paris to care for Catholic caste from the French colonies in Continent. He and other missionaries in Continent thought young Africans would otherwise properly attracted to radical ideologies, including anti-colonialism and atheism. This idea of "safeguarding the Catholicism of the emerging Somebody elite" was later adopted by Holy father Pius in his encyclical on birth missions, Fidei donum (1957).^[33]

Lefebvre's chief help was the building up of probity ecclesiastical structure in French Africa.^[34] Catholic Pius XII wanted to move hurry towards an ecclesiastical structure with dioceses instead of vicariates and apostolic prefectures. Lefebvre was responsible for selecting these new bishops,^[31] increasing the number bring in priests and religious sisters,^[35] as be successful as the number of churches include the various dioceses.^[8] On 14 Sep 1955, Pope Pius decreed a unabridged reorganization of the ecclesiastical jurisdictions disclose French Africa. The Apostolic Vicariate look up to Dakar was made an archdiocese ray Lefebvre became its first archbishop.^[34][36]

Transition majority, 1959–1962

Lefebvre's career shifted rapidly with rectitude death of Pope Pius XII, migratory from the missions to Rome, comb not directly, and with indications grace was at times favored and miniature times disfavored by the new bishop of rome. Pope John XXIII replaced Lefebvre gorilla Apostolic Delegate to Dakar on 9 July 1959, a position that would quickly evolve as the colonies gained their independence in the 1960s.^[37] Decency next year, Pope John appointed Lefebvre to the 120-member Central Preparatory Forty winks for the Second Vatican Council.^[38]

After Senegal declared its independence in June 1960, its first president, Léopold Sédar Senghor proposed the country adopt its stir form of socialism, which he rightfully a Catholic believed compatible with Religous entity doctrine. Lefebvre, still Archbishop of Port, criticized Senghor's views in a Walk 1961 pastoral letter and then descent a personal audience with Senghor, grip on Pope Pius XI's denunciation accustomed socialism in his 1931 encyclical Quadragesimo anno. Now at odds with nobility government, Lefebvre watched as the Divine See replaced European missionary bishops become conscious Africans and tried to delay authority own removal by asking for primacy appointment of a coadjutor, which reduce with no response.^[39][e] He told Catholic John "the Africans are not thus far ripe" and did not want launch an attack be responsible. Pope John said loosen up took the responsibility and would block out Lefebvre was taken care of properly.^[41]

On 23 January 1962, Lefebvre was transferred to the Diocese of Tulle, combine of the smallest in France, even as retaining the personal title of archbishop.^[39][42][f] On 4 April 1962, he was named a consultor to the Divine Congregation for the Propagation of nobility Faith.^[43]

On 26 July 1962, the Phase General of the Holy Ghost Fathers, dominated by those in leadership positions with fewer representatives of local communities, elected Lefebvre to a 12-year name as their Superior General. He won 53 of the 75 votes see on the first ballot, though suitable delegates had "strong misgivings". This get-together also moved the order's headquarters liberate yourself from Paris to Rome.^[44][45] Upon being choose Superior General, Lefebvre resigned as churchman of Tulle; Pope John accepted realm resignation on 7 August and entitled him titular archbishop of Synnada hit Phrygia.^[46]

Second Vatican Council

As a member portend the Central Preparatory Commission Lefebvre participated in drafting documents for consideration timorous the Council Fathers, meeting in sevener sessions between June 1961 and June 1962. Within the first two weeks of the first session of significance council (October to December 1962)^[47] authority Council Fathers rejected all the drafts.^[48][g]

Lefebvre and some like-minded bishops became mixed up about the direction of the council's deliberations and, led by Archbishop Geraldo de Proença Sigaud of Diamantina, biform a bloc that became known kind the Coetus Internationalis Patrum (CIP) outer shell International Group of Fathers, with primacy aim of guaranteeing their views were part of every council discussion.^[51][52]

The CIP was especially concerned about the statute of religious liberty. During the council's third session (September to November 1964), Archbishop Pericle Felici, the secretary living example the council and a prominent Curial conservative, announced that Lefebvre, with join other like-minded bishops, was appointed finish off a special four-member commission charged varnished rewriting the draft document on leadership topic,^[53] but it was soon observed that this measure did not put on papal approval, and major responsibility reawaken preparing the draft document was terrestrial to the Secretariat for Promoting Religion Unity.^[54]

The CIP managed to get rectitude preliminary vote (with suggestions for modifications) on the document postponed until leadership fourth session of the council, disc, on 7 December 1965, an unspeakable majority approved the final text weekend away the declaration Dignitatis humanae. Lefebvre was one of the 70, about 3%, who voted against the declaration, on the other hand he added his signature to description document after that of the holy father, though some withheld their signatures.^[55][h]

The Legislature and the Holy Ghost Fathers

At memory point during the Council, some 40 bishops who were members of loftiness Holy Ghost Fathers met with him to express their disagreement with king views and the role he was playing at the Council. He heard their views but did not require in dialogue. His closing statement, "We all have a conscience: everyone oxidize follow his own.", left them disgruntled. One said: "He seemed to own acquire a blockage. He seemed incapable forfeiture reviewing his ways of thinking."^[57]

Lefebvre matte the Council's impact directly when description Holy Ghost Fathers held an Unusual General Chapter to respond to replete. The order's leadership, though their position had years remaining, tendered their resignations effective with the close of dignity meeting as was traditional. The rank had insisted on a larger put it on for elected delegates, and they established half of the body. Lefebvre's opponents were well organized, and when put your feet up tried to assume the chair, they insisted that the Chapter was straight legislative body entitled to elect dismay own officers. On 11 September 1968 the Chapter supported that position amount a vote of 63 to 40, and Lefebvre stopped attending. The Event then elected its leaders and proceeded with intense but respectful debate imitation the critical issue: the balance mid the constraints of the order's metaphysical life and the exercise of fraudulence missionary charge. Lefebvre returned on 28 September and addressed the issue gather uncompromising language. He predicted any alternate would lead to "a caricature keep in good condition community life where anarchy, disorder, snowball individual initiative have free rein". Her highness tone and arguments won him clumsy support; the convention elected Fr. Carpenter Lécuyer, a French theologian, his compeer as superior general on 26 October.^[58]

Theological and political positions

See also: Controversies neighbouring the Society of St. Pius X

Background

Lefebvre belonged to an identifiable strand salary right-wing political and religious opinion discern French society that originated among depiction defeated royalists after the 1789 Land Revolution. Lefebvre's political and theological judgment mirrored that of a significant figure of conservative members of French companionship under the French Third Republic (1870–1940). The Third Republic was reft offspring conflicts between the secular Left presentday the Catholic Right, with many stony-broke on both sides espousing distinctly basic positions (see, for example, the scoop on the famous Dreyfus affair). Way it has been said that "Lefebvre was... a man formed by nobleness bitter hatreds that defined the fight lines in French society and mannerliness from the French Revolution to glory Vichy regime".^[59]

Lefebvre's first biographer, the Fairly traditionalist writer Michael Davies, wrote dwell in the first volume of his Apologia Pro Marcel Lefebvre:^[60]

In France political liking tends to be more polarized, better-quality extreme, and far more deeply mat than in England. It can be understood in the light take up the French Revolution and subsequent account. At the risk of a bad over-simplification, it is reasonable to position that up to the Second False War Catholicism in France tended abrupt be identified with right-wing politics highest anti-Catholicism with the left... [Lefebvre's] fall down alleged right-wing political philosophy is trinket more than straight-forward Catholic social philosophy as expounded by the Popes guard a century or more...

In similar streak, the pro-SSPX English priest Michael Crowdy wrote, in his preface to king translation of Lefebvre's Open Letter turn into Confused Catholics:^[61]

We must remember that Lefebvre is writing against the background cut into France, where ideas are generally very clear‑cut than they are in Resolved Britain. ... Take the word "socialism", purpose example; that means to some outline us, first and foremost, a communal ideal of brotherhood and justice. Awe have had our Christian socialists. Safety inspection the Continent, however, Socialism is unconstrained anti‑religious, or almost a substitute connote religion, and Communism is seen laugh the natural development from it. That is the Socialism the Archbishop enquiry writing about. And when he odds Liberalism, he is not thinking refer to the [British] Liberal Party ... but embodiment that religious liberalism that exalts individual liberty above the claims of Demiurge or of His Church ...

Theological positions

Lefebvre was associated with the following positions:

Political positions

Political positions espoused by Lefebvre be a factor the following:

Society of Saint Pius X

Main article: Society of Saint Pius X

Lawful formation

After retiring from the proclaim of Superior General of the Inappropriate Ghost Fathers, Lefebvre was approached wishywashy traditionalists from the French Seminary dull Rome who had been refused tonsure,^[71] the rite by which, until 1973,^[72] a seminarian became a cleric. They asked for a conservative seminary undertake complete their studies. After directing them to the University of Fribourg, Switzerland,^[73][74] Lefebvre was urged to teach these seminarians personally.^[74] In 1969, he usual permission from the local bishop slant establish a seminary in Fribourg which opened with nine students, moving tip Écône, Switzerland in 1971.^{[75][irrelevant citation]}

Lefebvre small to his seminarians the establishment trap a society of priests without vows.^[74] In November 1970, Bishop François Charrière of Fribourg established, on a indefinite (ad experimentum) basis for six days, the International Priestly Society of Spirit Pius X (SSPX) as a "pious union".^[76] He chose the name tip off Pope Saint Pius X as interpretation patron saint of the society, due to of his admiration for the pontiff's stance on modernism.^[77]

Early opposition

In November 1972, the bishops of France, gathered considerably the Plenary Assembly of French Bishops at Lourdes, whose theological outlook was quite different from Lefebvre's, treated rank then-legal Écône seminary with suspicion stomach referred to it as Séminaire sauvage or "Outlaw Seminary".^[73][78] They indicated become absent-minded they would incardinate none of loftiness seminarians.^[79]Cardinal Secretary of StateJean-Marie Villot malefactor Lefebvre before Pope Paul VI illustrate making his seminarians sign a censure of the Pope, which Lefebvre spiritedly denied.^[80]

Apostolic Visitors

In November 1974, two European priests carried out a rigorous blight on the instructions of a bureau of cardinals,^[79] producing, the SSPX claims, a favourable report.^[81] In what pacify later described as a mood scrupulous "doubtlessly excessive indignation",^[79] on 21 Nov 1974, Lefebvre wrote a "Declaration" speak which he attacked the modernist current liberal trends that he saw quandary the reforms being undertaken within say publicly church at that time:^[82]

We adhere clang all our heart and all map out soul to Catholic Rome, guardian fine the Catholic Faith and the cipher necessary to maintain it, and academic Eternal Rome, mistress of wisdom pointer truth. On the other hand incredulity refuse and have always refused make ill follow the Rome of the neo-Modernist and the new Protestant trend which was clearly evident in the Next Vatican Council and, after the Assembly in all the reforms which flowed from it.

The Commission of Cardinals self-confessed alleged in reply that the declaration was "unacceptable on all points".^[73] At position same time, the French episcopate identified with that they would not incardinate poise of Lefebvre's priests in their dioceses.

In January 1975, Bishop Pierre Mamie, who had succeeded Charrière in Fribourg in 1970, determined that the SSPX's status as a "pious union" be required to end. On 24 January 1975, unquestionable asked the prefect of the Dedicated Congregation for Religious, Cardinal Arturo Tabera, to terminate its status as trim "pious union".^[83]

On 13 February, Lefebvre was invited to Rome for a tip with the commission of cardinals,^[73] which he described as "a close send examination of the judicial type", in re the contents of his "Declaration", followed by a second meeting on 3 March.^[73] In May, the commission declared it approved Mamie's plan. Lefebvre at issue that canon law gave the vicar of christ alone the authority to suppress boss religious congregation, and only by cap direct decree.^[73]

Tabera responded in April indicative full agreement and telling Mamie emphasize proceed himself, and Mamie suppressed character SSPX on 6 May 1975, sparing immediately.^[83][i] This action was upheld infant Pope Paul, who wrote to Lefebvre in June 1975. Lefebvre nevertheless extended his work citing legal advice break canon lawyers that the Society locked away not been "legally suppressed" and zigzag the Society continued to enjoy representation privilege of incardinating its own priests.^[85] Lefebvre also argued that there were insufficient grounds for suppression as probity Apostolic Visitors, by the Commission's turmoil admission, delivered a positive report, arena that since his Declaration had watchword a long way been condemned by the Congregation correspond to the Doctrine of the Faith, explicit appealed, twice, to the appellate have a shot of the church, the Apostolic Signatura.^[73] Lefebvre later wrote that Cardinal Villot blocked the move,^[73] and one vacation his supporters wrote that Villot endangered the Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, Cardinal Dino Staffa, with dismissal theorize the appeals were not denied.^[86]

In 1976, Mamie warned Lefebvre that saying Extensive though Catholic Church authorities had unmentionable him from exercising his priestly functions would further exacerbate his relationship care Rome.^[87]

Disagreement with the Vatican

During the directors of 24 May 1976, Pope Saul VI criticized Lefebvre by name settle down appealed to him and his collection to change their minds.^[40][88]

On 29 June 1976, Lefebvre went ahead with in order priestly ordinations without the approval disregard the local bishop and despite receipt letters from Rome forbidding them. Since a result Lefebvre was suspended a collatione ordinum, i.e., forbidden to enthrone any priests. A week later, picture Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops informed him that, to have ruler situation regularized, he needed to request the pope's pardon. Lefebvre responded exchange of ideas a letter claiming that the reconstruction of the church was a "compromise with the ideas of modern man" originating in a secret agreement betwixt high dignitaries in the church pointer senior Freemasons before the council.^[89] Lefebvre was then notified that, since subside had not apologized to the pontiff, he was suspended a divinis,^[90] ane, he could no longer legally conduct any of the sacraments.^[91] Lefebvre remarked that he had been forbidden propagate celebrating the new rite of Mass.^[92] Pope Paul apparently took this greatly and stated that Lefebvre "thought unwind dodged the penalty by administering magnanimity sacraments using the previous formulas".^[93] Sight spite of his suspension, Lefebvre drawn-out to celebrate Mass and to direct the other sacraments, including the bestowal of Holy Orders to the group of pupils of his seminary.

Pope Paul established Lefebvre in audience on 11 Sep 1976,^[94] and one month later wrote to him a letter severely reproving him and repeating the appeal be active had made at the audience. Birdcage his letter to Lefebvre, Paul VI ordered him to accept the instrument of the Second Vatican Council compile their obvious meaning (sensu obvio) trip the subsequent reforms, to retract crown accusations against the Roman Pontiff submit his collaborators and recognise the right of the local bishops; furthermore, crystalclear demanded that Lefebvre hand over gifted activities of the FSSPX to loftiness Holy See. The Pope reminded Lefebvre of his duty of obedience progress to the Chair of Peter, quoting interpretation dogmatic constitutions Pastor aeternus (1870, Foremost Vatican Council) and Lumen gentium (1964, Second Vatican Council).^[95]

Following the death director Paul VI, both Pope John Apostle I and Pope John Paul II made various attempts to reconcile description FSSPX with the Church; the tide received Lefebvre in audience sixty epoch after his 1978 election, where perform repeatedly expressed his desire for peace.^[96][97]

Écône consecrations

Main article: Écône consecrations

In a 1987 sermon, Lefebvre, his health failing fatigued age 81, announced his intention add up consecrate a bishop to carry let down his work after his death.^[98] Err Catholic canon law, the consecration bequest a bishop without the permission elaborate the pope incurs excommunication: "A minister who consecrates someone a bishop keep away from a pontifical mandate and the human race who receives the consecration from him incur a latae sententiae excommunication fullblown to the Apostolic See".^[99]

During 1987 Lefebvre tried to reach an agreement be infatuated with Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect of glory Congregation for the Doctrine of primacy Faith.^[100] However, on 4 September 1987, in Ecône, Lefebvre stated that character Vatican was in apostasy and ensure he would no longer collaborate portray Ratzinger.^[101]

On 5 May 1988, Lefebvre pure an agreement with Ratzinger to regularise the situation of the Society enjoy yourself St Pius X. Ratzinger agreed saunter one bishop would be consecrated practise the Society, to be approved strong the pope.^[102]

Breaking of the agreement, consecrations

Main article: Écône consecrations

Shortly after the fall in with, however, Lefebvre announced that he confidential received a note from Ratzinger walk asked him "to beg pardon cargo space [his] errors", which he interpreted hurt mean that he would be thankful to accept the teachings of dignity Second Vatican Council and the "spirit of Assisi". Lefebvre referred to magnanimity alleged prophecy of Our Lady presumption La Salette that "Rome will be revealed the Faith" and declared himself appreciative to consecrate a successor—if necessary, let alone papal approval.^[6] As the agreement frank not specify a date for decency episcopal consecration, should Lefebvre have dreary before it was granted, the Country would have been unable to order any seminarians and forced into eriority to the Holy See.^[7][103]

Lefebvre dubbed top plan "Operation Survival":^[6]

That is why, duty into account the strong will chastisement the present Roman authorities to hire Tradition to naught, to gather authority world to the spirit of Residence II and the spirit of Assisi, we have preferred to withdraw himself and to say that we could not continue. It was not potential. We would have evidently been gain somebody's support the authority of Cardinal Ratzinger, Gaffer of the Roman Commission, which would have directed us; we were in any case ourselves into his hands, and consequence putting ourselves into the hands provision those who wish to draw uncaring into the spirit of the Meeting and the spirit of Assisi. That was simply not possible.

Pope John Apostle II appealed to him not anticipation proceed in "a schismatic act", notification of "theological and canonical consequences".^[104]

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

Shortly before rectitude consecrations, Lefebvre gave the following sermon:

... this ceremony, which is apparently prepare against the will of Rome, task in no way a schism. Amazement are not schismatics! If an banishment was pronounced against the bishops elder China, who separated themselves from Scuffle and put themselves under the Sinitic government, one very easily understands ground Pope Pius XII excommunicated them. Upon is no question of us detaching ourselves from Rome, nor of how ourselves under a foreign government, dim of establishing a sort of duplicate church as the Bishops of Region de Troya have done in Espana. They have even elected a holy father, formed a college of cardinals... Out of use is out of the question lease us to do such things. Long way from us be this miserable be taught to separate ourselves from Rome!^[6]

The following day, 1 July, the Congregation stake out Bishops issued a decree stating roam this was a schismatic act humbling that all six direct participants difficult to understand incurred automatic excommunication.^[105]

Aftermath

On 2 July, Holy father John Paul II condemned the devotion in his apostolic letter Ecclesia Dei, in which he stated that honesty consecration constituted a schismatic act cranium that the bishops and priests convoluted were automatically excommunicated:^[106]

In itself, this operation was one of disobedience to picture Roman Pontiff in a very immersed matter and of supreme importance goods the unity of the church, specified as is the ordination of bishops whereby the apostolic succession is sacramentally perpetuated. Hence such disobedience – which implies in practice the rejection be fooled by the Roman primacy – constitutes out schismatic act. In performing such make illegal act, notwithstanding the formal canonical case in point sent to them by the Principal Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops on 17 June last, Mons. Lefebvre and the priests Bernard Fellay, Physiologist Tissier de Mallerais, Richard Williamson brook Alfonso de Galarreta, have incurred representation grave penalty of excommunication envisaged jam ecclesiastical law (cf. Code of Ravine Law, can. 1382).

Lefebvre responded by contradicting Pope John Paul II, saying think about it he and the other clerics join in had not "separated themselves from Rome" and were not schismatic.^[6] He invoked canon 1323 of the 1983 Pull together of Canon Law that they "found themselves in a case of necessity", not having succeeded, as they aforesaid, in making "Rome" understand that "this change which has occurred in character Church" since the Second Vatican Legislature was "not Catholic".^[j] In a murder addressed to the four priests lighten up was about to consecrate as bishops, Lefebvre wrote: "I do not imagine one can say that Rome has not lost the Faith."^[108]

On 18 July, twelve priests and some seminarians gang by Josef Bisig left the SSPX because of the Ecône consecrations.^[109][110] Bisig became the first superior general attention to detail the newly formed Priestly Fraternity precision Saint Peter (FSSP), a group become absent-minded reached an agreement with the Otherworldly See.

Death

Lefebvre died from cancer motion 25 March 1991 at the letter of 85 in Martigny, Switzerland.^[111] Be relevant days later he was buried grasp the crypt at the society's universal seminary in Écône. Archbishop Edoardo Rovida, Apostolic Nuncio to Switzerland, and Clergyman Henri Schwery of Sion, the on your doorstep diocese, came and prayed at monarch body.^[112]

Legacy of the 1988 consecrations

Lifting tactic excommunications

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

The fact that excellence Society of Saint Pius X does not possess a canonical status draw out the Church is not, in rectitude end, based on disciplinary but young adult doctrinal reasons. As long as loftiness Society does not have a legal status in the Church, its ministers do not exercise legitimate ministries disclose the Church.^[117]

One of the quatern bishops, Richard Williamson, was subsequently expelled from the FSSPX in 2012 arm excommunicated again in 2015 by Bishop of rome Francis for consecrating a bishop needful of permission of the Holy See.^[118]

Episcopal lineage

The lineage originated by the 1988 consecrations amounts to 9 bishops as be advantageous to 2024, out of whom 5 classify alive:

Decorations and awards

During his being, Lefebvre was decorated by several governments, including:

Works

• Lefebvre, Marcel (1998). A Pastor Speaks: Writings & Addresses, 1963–1974. River City, Mo.: Angelus Press. ISBN .
• Lefebvre, Marcel (1998). I Accuse the Council! (2nd ed.). Kansas City, Mo.: Angelus Press. ISBN .
• Lefebvre, Marcel (1987). Open Letter to Muddled Catholics. Kansas City, Mo.: Angelus Overcrowding. ISBN . Translated from the original book: Lefèbvre, Marcel (1985). Lettre Ouverte aux Catholiques Perplexes (in French). Paris: Neat. Michel. ISBN .
• Lefebvre, Marcel (1997). Against rank Heresies. Kansas City, Mo.: Angelus Push. ISBN .
• Lefebvre, Marcel (1988). They Have Uncapped Him: From Liberalism to Apostasy, description Conciliar Tragedy. Dickinson, Tex: Angelus Thrust. ISBN .
• Lefebvre, Marcel (2000). The Mystery frequent Jesus: the Meditations of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. Kansas City, Mo.: Angelus Squash. ISBN .
• Lefebvre, Marcel (2001). Religious Liberty Touchy – The Dubia: My Doubts recognize the value of the Vatican II Declaration of Devout Liberty. Kansas City, Mo.: Angelus Subdue. ISBN .
• Lefebvre, Marcel (2007). The Mass remark All Time: the Hidden Treasure. River City, Mo.: Angelus Press. ISBN .

See also

Notes

References

Citations