Marcel Lefebvre and Colletotrichum musae: Difference between pages

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[[Image:ArchbishopMarcelLefebvre.jpg|thumb|Archbishop Lefebvre''<br>''Founder of the Society of St. Pius X]]

| color = lightblue

'''Marcel-François Lefebvre''' ([[November 29]] [[1905]]&ndash;[[March 25]] [[1991]]), better known as '''Marcel Lefebvre''', was a [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] [[archbishop]]<ref>[http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/blefebvre.html Entry for Archbishop Marcel-François Lefebvre, C.S.Sp]</ref> who took the lead in opposing the reforms within the Catholic Church associated with the [[Second Vatican Council]] (1962-65).<ref>''During the last twenty years a not inconsiderable number of Catholics have followed the lead given by the late Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre and the Society of St. Pius X founded by him, thinking that this was the way to defend what they believed to be the traditional Catholic faith in a time of crisis in the Church. That there is such a crisis is not really a matter for argument. Since the Second Vatican Council there has been a large decline in the number of Catholics practicing their faith.'' [http://tcrnews2.com/Lefebvre06.html Schism, Obedience and the Society of St. Pius X] by John Beaumont and John Walsh, Fidelity Magazine, October 1993</ref> In particular, he condemned [[ecumenism]],<ref>''This spirit of adultery is also made clear in the ecumenism instituted by The Secretariat for the Unity of Christians.'' [http://www.sspx.org/miscellaneous/public_statement_ab_lefebvre_june_1988.htm Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre's JUNE 1988 PUBLIC STATEMENT Against False Ecumenism], 19 October 1983, hosted by the United States district of the Society of Pius X</ref> the principle of religious liberty,<ref>''Hence, to accept Religious Liberty was in principle to accept the “rights of man” within the Church. Now, the Church has always condemned these declarations on the “rights of man” which have been made against the authority of God.'' [http://www.sspxasia.com/Documents/Archbishop-Lefebvre/Conference_at_Long_Island.htm Conference Of His Excellency Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre], Long Island, New York, November 5, 1983, hosted by SSPXasia.com</ref> [[collegiality]]<ref>''Archbishop Lefebvre is known most widely for his support of the Tridentine liturgy and his attacks on the liturgical changes initiated by Vatican II. But his complaints against Vatican II go far beyond liturgical reforms. He also rejects conciliar developments in collegiality, religious liberty and ecumenism. These are seen by him as corresponding to the Revolution's égalité, liberté and fraternité.'' [http://www.americamagazine.org/reese/america/a-lefev.htm Archbishop Lefebvre: Moving Toward Schism?], Thomas J. Reese, S.J., America, June 4, 1988</ref> and the replacement of the [[Tridentine Mass]].<ref>''However, Lefebvre’s continued use of the Tridentine Mass eventually became an issue with the Vatican.'' [http://www.envoymagazine.com/backissues/4.6/lefebvre.htm My Journey out of the Lefebvre Schism] By Pete Vere</ref> In 1970, he founded the [[Society of St. Pius X|Priestly Society of St. Pius X]] (SSPX), an organisation which continues in existence to this day.<ref>''The Society of St. Pius X is a priestly fraternity, founded by His Grace Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre consisting of well over 300 priests and 100 brothers and nuns worldwide. The Society ministers to souls in over 600 chapels and churches in over twenty-five countries including: Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Ireland, Italy, Sri-Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States.'', [http://www.sspx.ca/FAQs.htm Frequently Asked Questions about the Society of Pius X]</ref>

| name = ''Colletotrichum musae''

| regnum = [[Fungi]]

In 1988, the [[Holy See]] (first the [[Congregation for Bishops]],<ref>[http://www.cin.org/users/james/files/l-excomm.htm Decree of Excommunication]</ref> then [[Pope John Paul II]], with his ''[[motu proprio]]'' ''[[Ecclesia Dei]]'')<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/motu_proprio/documents/hf_jp-ii_motu-proprio_02071988_ecclesia-dei_en.html ''Ecclesia Dei'']</ref> declared Lefebvre [[latae sententiae|automatically]] [[excommunication|excommunicated]] for consecrating four bishops in violation of canon law and in spite of a warning from the Holy See and a personal appeal from the Pope.<ref>[http://www.catholicculture.org/docs/doc_view.cfm?recnum=1224 The Excommunication of Followers of Archbishop Lefebvre]</ref> Some canon lawyers, mostly from the SSPX and sympathizing organizations,{{fact}} have disputed the validity of this excommunication.<ref>"Now, the excommunication warned of on June 17, for abuse of episcopal powers (canon 1382), was not incurred" [http://www.sspx.org/SSPX_FAQs/q11_abexcommunicated.htm QUESTION 11 Wasn't Archbishop Lefebvre excommunicated for consecrating bishops unlawfully?] from ''Frequently Asked Questions about the Society of Saint Pius X'', hosted by Society of Saint Pius XII in the United States of America</ref>

| phylum = [[Ascomycota]]

| classis = [[Sordariomycetes]]

== Early life and ministry ==

| subclassis = [[Incertae sedis]]

Marcel Lefebvre was born in [[Tourcoing]], [[France]],<ref>''MARCEL LEFEBVRE was born at Tourcoing in northern France on 29 November 1905.'' [http://www.sspxasia.com/Documents/Archbishop-Lefebvre/Apologia/Vol_one/Chapter_1.htm Who is Marcel Lefebvre?]</ref> the second son and third child<ref>''Keeping God's holy laws they began by having five children, one each year, then three others later on. Three in 1903, 1904, 1905 (Rene first; Jeanne next and the third Marcel); then in 1907 my sister Marie-Gabriel, in 1908 my sister Marie-Christiane and in 1914 just before the war Joseph. Then the two others after the war.'' [http://www.sspxafrica.com/documents/2002_February/Monsignor_Lefebvre_in_his_own_words.htm Monsignor Lefebvre in his own words]</ref> of factory-owner René Lefebvre<ref>''René Lefebvre, a factory owner'' [http://www.oriensjournal.com/17ghost.htm The ghost at all our tables], Oriens, Summer 2005</ref>, who died in [[1944]] in the [[Nazi Germany|Nazi]] [[concentration camp]] at [[Sonnenburg]] (in [[East Brandenburg]], [[Nazi Germany|Germany]])<ref>''In 1945, at the end of the Second World War, a young Holy Ghost Missionary named Marcel Lefebvre received the devastating news that his father, a profoundly Catholic and patriotic man, had died of infection and exhaustion at the Nazi Concentration Camp of Sonnenburg.'' [http://leflochreport.com/site/?Rene-Lefebvre-and-the-Holocaust RENE LEFEBVRE AND THE HOLOCAUST] by Jeanette M. Pryor and J. Christopher Pryor, Le Floch Report, March 19, 2006</ref>, where he had been imprisoned by the [[Gestapo]] because of his work for the [[French Resistance]] and [[British Intelligence]].{{fact}} Marcel's mother and René sr.'s wife was Gabrielle Wattin, who died in 1938.<ref>''In 1945, at the end of the Second World War, a young Holy Ghost Missionary named Marcel Lefebvre received the devastating news that his father, a profoundly Catholic and patriotic man, had died of infection and exhaustion at the Nazi Concentration Camp of Sonnenberg.'' [http://leflochreport.com/site/?Rene-Lefebvre-and-the-Holocaust RENE LEFEBVRE AND THE HOLOCAUST]</ref>

| ordo = [[Phyllachorales]]

| familia = [[Phyllachoraceae]]

His parents were devout Catholics who brought their children to daily [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]].<ref>''Every morning, my parents went there early to receive Holy Communion and to hear Mass when they could.'' [http://www.sspxafrica.com/documents/2002_February/Monsignor_Lefebvre_in_his_own_words.htm Monsignor Lefebvre in his own words]</ref> His father was also an outspoken [[monarchist]]<ref>''A convinced monarchist, he devoted himself during the whole of his life to the cause of the French Dynasty, seeing in a royal government the only way of restoring to his country its past grandeur and a Christian revival.'' [http://www.sspx.ca/Angelus/1984_July/A_Calvary.htm A Calvary 1941-1944 René Lefebvre Part 1], June 1984, Volume VII, Number 6, The Angelus</ref> who ran a spy-ring for [[British Intelligence]] when Tourcoing was occupied by the [[German Empire|Germans]] during [[World War I]].<ref>''At the time of the First World War, Mr. Lefebvre had served his country by operating as a spy.'' [http://leflochreport.com/site/?Rene-Lefebvre-and-the-Holocaust RENE LEFEBVRE AND THE HOLOCAUST]</ref>

| genus = ''[[Colletotrichum]]''

| species = '''''C. musae'''''

In 1923 Lefebvre began studies for the priesthood; at the insistence of his father he went to the French Seminary in [[Rome]].<ref>''In 1923 Marcel followed his brother to the French Seminary in Rome , taking his father’s advice (or rather, obeying his father’s command) to avoid the diocesan seminaries, which he suspected of liberal leanings.'' [http://www.oriensjournal.com/17ghost.htm The ghost at all our tables], Oriens journal</ref> He would later credit his conservative views to the rector, a [[Breton people|Breton]] [[priest]] named Father [[Henri Le Floch]].<ref>''Archbishop Lefebvre readily admitted that were it not for the solid formation he received from Fr. Le Floch, he too might have succumbed to the creeping liberalism of the age.'' [http://www.sspx.ca/Angelus/2005_August/Handed_on_What_Received.htm I have handed on what I have received] by John Vennari, published in The Angelus [August 2005]</ref> His studies were interrupted in 1926 and 1927 when he did his military service.<ref>''From 1926 to 1927 I had to go and do military service '' [http://www.sspxafrica.com/documents/2002_April/Monsignor_Lefebvre_in_his_own_words.htm Monsignor Leferbve in his own words]</ref> On [[May 25]] [[1929]] he was ordained [[deacon]] by Cardinal [[Basilio Pompilj]] in the [[Basilica of St. John Lateran]] in [[Rome]].<ref>{{cite book

| binomial = ''Colletotrichum musae''

| last = Tissier de Mallerais

| binomial_authority = (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Arx, (1957)

| first = Bernard

| authorlink = Bernard Tissier de Mallerais

| title = Marcel Lefebvre : une vie

| publisher = Éditions Clovis, Étampes

| date = 2002

| pages = 77

| doi = 10.1007/b62130

| id = ISBN 2-912642-82-5 }} </ref> On [[September 21]] [[1929]] he was ordained priest by Bishop (soon to be Cardinal) [[Achille Liénart]] in [[Lille]],<ref>''Ordained priest at Lille, France, by Msgr Achille Liénart, Bishop of Lille, on 21 September 1929'' [http://www.sspx.co.uk/people.php?personid=18 Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre - Useful Information] Society of Saint Pius X, District of Great Britain</ref> the diocese in which he was [[incardinated]].<ref>''His Grace, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, was ordained to the priesthood on September 21, 1929, and consecrated a bishop on September 18, 1947, by (the late) Achille Cardinal Lienart, Bishop of Archbishop Lefebvre’s Diocese of Lille (France).'' [http://www.sspx.org/miscellaneous/validity_of_holy_orders.htm THE VALIDITY OF HOLY ORDERS By Fr. Douglas Laudenschlager], Society of Saint Pius X, United States District</ref> After ordination, he continued his studies in Rome, completing a doctorate in theology in July 1930.<ref>''Seminary training: 1923-29 in the French Seminary, Rome, Doctor in philosophy and in theology.'' [http://www.sspxasia.com/Documents/Society_of_Saint_Pius_X/Basic-data.htm I - Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre]</ref>

In August 1930 Cardinal Liénart assigned Lefebvre to be assistant curate in a parish in Lomme, a suburb of Lille.<ref>''So I was spoiled during my seminary training, then spoiled even as curate at Marais-de-Lomme, where I spent only one year, but where I had such joy in taking care of a working-class parish, and where I found so much friendliness.'' [http://www.sspxasia.com/Documents/Archbishop-Lefebvre/Apologia/Vol_one/Chapter_3.htm Chapter 3: Archbishop Lefebvre in his own words], [[Apologia pro Marcel Lefebvre]]</ref> Even before this, Lefebvre had already asked to be released for missionary duties as a member of the [[Holy Ghost Fathers]]. But the cardinal insisted that he consider this for a year while he engaged in parish work in the diocese of Lille.<ref>{{cite book

| last = Tissier de Mallerais

| first = Bernard

| authorlink = Bernard Tissier de Mallerais

| title = Marcel Lefebvre : une vie

| publisher = Éditions Clovis, Étampes

| date = 2002

| pages = 83

| doi = 10.1007/b62130

| id = ISBN 2-912642-82-5 }} </ref> In July 1931 Liénart released Lefebvre from the diocese.<ref>''So at the end of the year I wrote to Cardinal Liénart and then to the Holy Ghost Fathers saying that if the Cardinal gave me permission to leave the diocese I would be willing to join the Holy Ghost Fathers and become a missionary. Well, me Cardinal said yes, he said to me'' [http://www.sspxafrica.com/documents/2002_February/Monsignor_Lefebvre_in_his_own_words.htm Monsignor Lefebvre in his own words]</ref> In September Lefebvre entered the [[novitiate]] of the Holy Ghost Fathers at [[Orly]].<ref>''So I went to the noviciate in Orly right next to where the airport is now. There the Holy Ghost Fathers had their noviciate.'' [http://www.sspxafrica.com/documents/2002_February/Monsignor_Lefebvre_in_his_own_words.htm Monsignor Lefebvre in his own words]</ref> A year later on [[September 8]] [[1932]] he took simple vows for a period of three years.<ref>''Finally the noviciate was over and I was professed 8th September, 1932 on the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin. And then I was appointed to Gabon.'' [http://www.sspxafrica.com/documents/2002_JunJuly/Monsignor_Lefebvre_in_his_own_words.htm Monsignor Lefebvre in his own words]</ref>

Lefebvre's first assignment as a Holy Ghost Father was as a professor at St. John's Seminary in [[Libreville]], [[Gabon]].<ref>''He entered the Holy Ghost Fathers in 1930 and was assigned to the Seminary of St. Mary at Libreville (Gabon) from 1932 to 1945.''[http://www.sspx.ca/Angelus/1980_November/Some_Memories.htm Some Memories of Archbishop Lefebvre's childhood], The Angelus, November 1980, Volume III, Number 11, Sister Marie Christiane Lefebvre</ref> In 1934 he was made rector of the seminary.<ref>''Teacher of Dogma and Holy Scripture in the Seminary of Libreville, Rector from 1934, he managed to be at the same time teacher, bursar, printer, plumber, electrician, driver... maybe having already in mind his Society’s Priests!'' [http://www.sspx.com/?ArchbishopLef A Biography of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre] by Father Ramón Anglés</ref> On [[September 28]] [[1935]] he made his perpetual vows. He served as superior of a number of missions of the Holy Ghost Fathers in Gabon.<ref>St. Michel de Ndjolé (May 1938 - August 1939), Ste. Marie de Libreville (December 1939 - August 1940), St. Paul de Donguila (August 1940 - April 1943), and finally St. François Xavier de Lambaréné (April 1943 - October 1945)</ref> In October 1945 Lefebvre was ordered by the superior general to return to France and take up new duties as rector of the Holy Ghost Fathers seminary in [[Mortain]].<ref>''the day I learned that they were recalling me to France to be Superior of the seminary of philosophy at Mortain, I wept'' [http://www.sspxasia.com/Documents/Archbishop-Lefebvre/Apologia/Vol_one/Chapter_3.htm Apologia pro Marcel Lefebvre Volume 1 Chapter 3], by Michael Davies</ref>

== Bishop in Africa ==

Lefebvre's return to France was not to last long. On [[June 12]] [[1947]] [[Pope Pius XII]] appointed him [[Apostolic vicariate|Vicar Apostolic]] of [[Dakar]] in [[Senegal]]; he received the [[Titular bishop|titular episcopal see]] of [[Anthedon]] (El Blakiyeh near [[Gaza]] in [[Palestine]]). On [[September 18]] [[1947]] he was consecrated a bishop in his family parish church in Tourcoing by Cardinal Liénart (who had previously ordained him a priest); as co-consecrators acted the bishops Jean-Baptiste Fauret, C.S.Sp. and Alfred-Jean-Félix Ancel.<ref>{{cite book

| last = Tissier de Mallerais

| first = Bernard

| authorlink = Bernard Tissier de Mallerais

| title = Marcel Lefebvre : une vie

| publisher = Éditions Clovis, Étampes

| date = 2002

| pages = 170-2

| doi = 10.1007/b62130

| id = ISBN 2-912642-82-5 }} </ref>

In his new position Lefebvre was responsible for the Catholic Church in the part of Senegal north of [[Gambia]].{{fact}} There were only 50,000 Catholics in a population of 3.5 million (including 3 million [[Muslim]]s and approximately 450,000 [[Animism|animists]]).<ref>''Out of three and half million inhabitants there were three million muslims, around 50,000 Catholics and the rest were animists.'' [http://www.sspxafrica.com/documents/2002_September/Monsignor_Lefebvre_in_his_own_words.htm Monsignor Lefebvre in his own words]</ref> Lefebvre was regarded as successful,<ref>''The official journal of the Vatican, "L’Osservatore Romano" (French edition, July 1976) recalls that "in 1947, a young missionary bishop, Mgr. Lefebvre, gave a new life to the work of the Church with the opening of new centers of Catholicism... his creative work left in Africa a profound mark."'' [http://www.sspx.co.uk/articles.php?articleid=142 His Grace Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre (1905-1991) A short biography by one of his priests] by Father Ramón Anglés</ref> increasing the number of priests,<ref>''There was an extraordinary expansion of the missions, quite extraordinary! They built seminaries, ordained priests. Many religious Congregations came and, because they had priests, could send missionaries.'' [http://www.sspxafrica.com/documents/2003_January/Monsignor_Lefebvre_in_his_own_words.htm Monsignor Lefebvre in his own words]</ref> religious brothers,{{fact}} and sisters,<ref>''They started and increased the missions, the convents, all types of institution. There were sisters for the dispensaries and the hospitals. I brought in the missionary Franciscan sisters of Mary to work in the hospitals, the Sisters of St. Thomas of Villeneuve, nursing sisters... There was a large number of teaching sisters who came to Africa to help.'' [http://www.sspxafrica.com/documents/2003_January/Monsignor_Lefebvre_in_his_own_words.htm Monsignor Lefebvre in his own words]</ref> as well as the number of parishes{{fact}} and churches.<ref>''He was responsible for the construction of large numbers of churches and the foundation of charitable works of every kind'', Father Jean Anzevui, quoted in [http://www.sspxasia.com/Documents/Archbishop-Lefebvre/Apologia/Vol_one/Chapter_1.htm Apologia pro Marcel Lefebvre (Chapter 1)] by [[Michael Davies (Catholic writer)|Michael Davies]], citing (in footnote 1) "J. Mzevui, Le Drame d'Ecône (Sion, 1976), p. 16"</ref>

On [[September 22]] [[1948]] Lefebvre, while continuing as Vicar Apostolic of Dakar,<ref>[http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/blefebvre.html Archbishop Marcel-François Lefebvre, C.S.Sp. †]</ref> received additional responsibilities: Pope Pius XII appointed him [[Apostolic Delegate]] to [[French colonial empires|French Africa]].<ref>[http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dxxsn.html Nunciature to Sénégal]</ref> In this capacity he was the papal representative to the Church authorities<ref>''A papal representative who in the territory assigned to him has the power and duty of watching over the status of the Church and of keeping the Roman pontiff informed regarding the same.'' [http://www.catholic-forum.com/Saints/ncd00678.htm Apostolic Delegate], from the New Catholic Dictionary</ref> in 46 dioceses<ref>''You can imagine, I was always on the road; visiting dioceses, getting the bishops together - 46 dioceses was quite a lot - and they were spread out: Madagascar, Reunion Island, [[Djibouti]], [[Morocco]], the whole of [[French equatorial Africa]], the whole of [[French West Africa]], [[Cameroon]].'' [http://www.sspxafrica.com/documents/2002_November/Monsignor_Lefebvre_in_his_own_words.htm Monsignor Lefebvre in his own words]</ref> "in continental and insular Africa subject to the French Government, with the addition of the [[Diocese of Reunion]], the whole of the island of [[Madagascar]] and the other neighbouring islands under French rule, but excluding the dioceses of North Africa, namely those of [[Carthage]], [[Constantine, Algeria|Constantine]], [[Algiers]] and [[Oran]]."<ref>Antonio G. Filipazzi: ''Rappresentanze e Rappresentanti Pontifici dalla seconda metà del XX secolo'' (ISBN 88-209-7845-8), p. X</ref> With this new responsibiity, it was appropriate that he have the title of archbishop;{{fact}} he was accordingly given the titular archepiscopal see of [[Arcadiopolis in Europa]].<ref>[http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/d3a68.html Arcadiopolis in Europa (Titular See)].</ref>

As Apostolic Delegate, Lefebvre's chief duty was the building up of the ecclesiastical structure in French Africa.<ref>"As first archbishop of Dakar and Apostolic Delegate of Pope Pius XII for all French-speaking Africa, he created four Episcopal Conferences, twenty-one new dioceses and apostolic prefectures and opened Seminaries in his extended jurisdiction." [http://www.sspx.co.uk/articles.php?articleid=142 His Grace Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre (1905-1991) A short biography by one of his priests] by Father Ramón Anglés</ref> Pope Pius XII wanted to move quickly towards a proper hierarchy (dioceses with bishops, instead of vicariates and apostolic prefectures).{{fact}} Lefebvre was responsible for selecting these new bishops<ref>''Well, you’ll have to visit 46 dioceses, see if we don’t need more, that is, divide dioceses up, make new bishops... Whenever bishops retire or die you will be responsible for giving names to Rome so they can choose a new one etc. That means you’ll have to prepare dossiers'', "Cardinal Prefect of the Propaganda" quoted in [http://www.sspxafrica.com/documents/2002_November/Monsignor_Lefebvre_in_his_own_words.htm Monsignor Lefebvre in his own words]</ref> including the first indigenous bishops in French Africa.{{fact}} On [[September 14]] [[1955]]<ref>''14 Sep 1955 49.8 Appointed Archbishop of Dakar, Senegal'' [http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/blefebvre.html Archbishop Marcel-François Lefebvre, C.S.Sp. †]</ref> Lefebvre was promoted to be the first [[Archbishop of Dakar]].<ref>"As first archbishop of Dakar and Apostolic Delegate of Pope Pius XII for all French-speaking Africa, he created four Episcopal Conferences, twenty-one new dioceses and apostolic prefectures and opened Seminaries in his extended jurisdiction." [http://www.sspx.co.uk/articles.php?articleid=142 His Grace Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre (1905-1991) A short biography by one of his priests] by Father Ramón Anglés</ref>

In 1958 Pope Pius XII died and was succeeded by [[Pope John XXIII|Blessed John XXIII]].<ref>''At the death of Pius XII he was elected Pope on 28 October 1958, taking the name John XXIII.'' [http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20000903_john-xxiii_en.html POPE JOHN XXIII], Vatican News Service</ref> Lefebvre was not among those made cardinal by John XXIII in December of that year.{{fact}} He was, however, appointed to the Central Preparatory Commission for the [[Second Vatican Council]]<ref>''Yes, it is correct that I was part of the Central Preparatory Commission during the two years before the Council'' [http://www.sspx.ca/Angelus/1982_June/Archbishop_Speaks.htm An Interview With Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre], Given on 3 May 1982, to Louis Moore, Religion Editor of The [[Houston Chronicle]]</ref>. In 1959 he was replaced as Apostolic Delegate to French Africa, although he continued as Archbishop of Dakar until [[January 23]] [[1962]],<ref>''So it turned out that I remained the Archbishop of Dakar but I was no longer Apostolic Delegate. That

continued from 1959 until 1962 though I no longer had the responsiblilities of all the other dioceses as in the past.'' [http://www.sspxafrica.com/documents/2003_January/Monsignor_Lefebvre_in_his_own_words.htm Monsignor Lefebvre in his own words]</ref> when he was transferred to the diocese of [[Tulle]] in France,<ref>''On 23 January 1962, Mgr. Lefebvre was appointed Bishop of Tulle in France'' [http://www.sspxasia.com/Documents/Archbishop-Lefebvre/Apologia/Vol_one/Chapter_1.htm Chapter 1, Volume 1] Apologia pro Marcel Lefebvre, by [[Michael Davies (Catholic writer)|Michael Davies]]</ref> retaining his personal title of archbishop.<ref>''23 Jan 1962 56.2 Appointed Archbishop (Personal Title) of Tulle, France'' [http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/blefebvre.html Archbishop Marcel-François Lefebvre, C.S.Sp. †], from catholic-hierachy.org</ref>

== Superior General of the Holy Ghost Fathers ==

{{main|Holy Ghost Fathers}}

On [[July 26]] [[1962]] the Chapter General of the Holy Ghost Fathers elected Lefebvre Superior General.<ref>''1962 - 1968 Archbishop Lefebvre is elected and acts as Superior General of the Holy Ghost Fathers.'' [http://www.sspx.org/SSPX_FAQs/q2_ab.htm QUESTION 2 WHO IS ARCHBISHOP MARCEL LEFEBVRE?], SSPX USA</ref> Lefebvre was widely respected for his experience in the mission field<ref>''During his thirty year apostolate in Africa the role of Mgr. Lefebvre was of the very highest importance. His fellow missionaries still remember his extraordinary missionary zeal which was revealed in his exceptional abilities as an organizer and a man of action.'' Father Jean Anzevui quoted in [http://www.sspxasia.com/Documents/Archbishop-Lefebvre/Apologia/Vol_one/Chapter_1.htm Volume 1, Chapter 1], [[Apologia pro Marcel Lefebvre]], by [[Michael Davies (Catholic writer)|Michael Davies]], citing J. Mzevui, Le Drame d'Ecône (Sion, 1976), p. 16</ref> and his ability to deal with the [[Roman Curia]].{{fact}} On the other hand, certain progressive members of his congregation, particularly in France, considered his administrative style authoritarian.<ref>{{request quote}} Tissier de Mallerais, Bernard, ''Marcel Lefebvre: The Biography'' (Kansas City, Mo.: Angelus Press, 2004), 338. ISBN 1-892331-24-1</ref> On [[August 7]] [[1962]] Lefebvre was given the titular archiepiscopal see of [[Synnada]] in [[Phrygia]].<ref>[http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/d3s31.html Synnada in Phrygia (Titular See)]</ref>

Lefebvre was increasingly criticized by influential members of his large religious congregation who considered him was out-of-step with modern Church leaders and the demand of bishops' conferences, particularly in France, for reform.<ref>"This little group was very active. They included a number of seminary professors like Fr. Lécuyer who was in Rome. They formed a small group of intellectuals - very progressive, rather modernist and very determined. Moreover, since it seemed the Council was working in their favour they felt emboldened and took the opportunity of spreading their ideas of modernising - the aggiornamento - the Congregation." [http://www.sspxafrica.com/documents/2003_JulAug/Monsignor_Lefebvre_in_his_own_words.htm July/August 2003] Monsignor Lefebvre in his own words, Society of Saint Pius X - Southern Africa</ref> A general chapter of the Holy Ghost Fathers was convened in Rome in September 1968 to debate the direction of the congregation after the reforms of the Second Vatican Council.<ref>''In 1968 our Congregation, along with all the others, had to hold this chapter.'' [http://www.sspxafrica.com/documents/2003_JulAug/Monsignor_Lefebvre_in_his_own_words.htm July/August 2003] Monsignor Lefebvre in his own words, Society of Saint Pius X - Southern Africa</ref> The first action of the chapter was to name several moderators to lead the chapter's sessions instead of Lefebvre.<ref>"With no authorisation from the Congregation for Religious, they wanted the chapter to be presided over by a triumvirate which meant that I, the Superior General, was not to preside over the chapter at all even though it was clearly written in the constitutions that the Superior General was to be in charge of all business discussed at the General Chapter." [http://www.sspxafrica.com/documents/2003_JulAug/Monsignor_Lefebvre_in_his_own_words.htm July/August 2003] Monsignor Lefebvre in his own words, Society of Saint Pius X - Southern Africa</ref> Lefebvre then handed in his resignation as Superior General to [[Pope Paul VI]].<ref>"Back at the Mother House, I wrote a nice letter to the Pope saying that I was tendering my resignation because of what was going on in the Congregation and what I was going to have to do. I told him I couldn’t take responsibility for something like that." [http://www.sspxafrica.com/documents/2003_JulAug/Monsignor_Lefebvre_in_his_own_words.htm July/August 2003] Monsignor Lefebvre in his own words, Society of Saint Pius X - Southern Africa</ref> He would later say that it had become impossible for him to remain Superior of an Order which no longer wanted or listened to him.<ref>{{cite book

| last = Tissier de Mallerais

| first = Bernard

| authorlink = Bernard Tissier de Mallerais

| title = Marcel Lefebvre : une vie

| publisher = Éditions Clovis, Étampes

| date = 2002

| pages = 390

| doi = 10.1007/b62130

| id = ISBN 2-912642-82-5 }} </ref>

== Second Vatican Council ==

{{main|Coetus Internationalis Patrum}}

As a member of the [[Central Preparatory Commission]]<ref>''Yes, it is correct that I was part of the Central Preparatory Commission during the two years before the Council'' [http://www.sspx.ca/Angelus/1982_June/Archbishop_Speaks.htm An Interview With Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre], Given on 3 May 1982, to Louis Moore, Religion Editor of The [[Houston Chronicle]]</ref> for the [[Second Vatican Council]], Lefebvre took part in the discussions about the draft documents (schema) submitted to the bishops for consideration at the Council.<ref>''As a member of the Central Preparatory Commission the Archbishop worked for several years upon the draft documents which the Council Fathers were to discuss (the preparatory schemas).'' [http://www.sspx.ca/Angelus/1983_August/God_Bless.htm God Bless the Archbishop], from The Angelus, August 1983, Volume V, Number 8</ref> During the first session of the Council (October to December 1962), he became concerned about the direction the Council's deliberations were taking.<ref>''Now you know what happened at the Council. A fortnight after its opening not one of the prepared schemata remained, not one! All had been turned down, all had been condemned to the wastepaper basket. Nothing remained, not a single sentence. All had been thrown out.'' Marcel Lefebvre quoted in [http://sspxasia.com/Documents/Archbishop-Lefebvre/Apologia/Vol_one/Chapter_1.htm Volume 1, Chapter 1] [[Apologia pro Marcel Lefebvre]] by [[Michael Davies (Catholic writer)|Michael Davies]] citing Hanu, Non, Entretiens de Joss Hanu avec Mgr. Lefebvre (Editions Stock, 1977), p. 189 (161)</ref> Together with several other like-minded bishops, including Bishop [[Antônio de Castro Mayer]]<ref>''De Castro Mayer was the brains behind the Coetus Internationalis Patrum, the conservative opposition at Vatican II, and over the years he inoculated his people against the infections of what he saw as “modernism.”'' [http://www.nationalcatholicreporter.org/word/word0103.htm Top 10 neglected Catholic stories of 2002], [[John Allen]], [[National Catholic Reporter]], January 3, 2003</ref> and Cardinal [[Alfredo Ottaviani]],{{fact}} Lefebvre established a study group of bishops at the Council which organized lectures by important theologians.{{fact}} Eventually this group became known as the ''[[Coetus Internationalis Patrum]]'' (International Group of Fathers).<ref>''the Archbishop found himself drawn into the role of a leader of the International Group of Fathers which came together to defend orthodoxy'' [http://www.sspx.ca/Angelus/1983_August/God_Bless.htm God Bless the Archbishop], from The Angelus, August 1983, Volume V, Number 8</ref>

This study group was concerned about a number of issues at the Council. They feared that episcopal [[collegiality]] could undermine [[Primacy of the Roman Pontiff|papal primacy]]. They thought there should be a specific condemnation of [[communism]]. They opposed the reversal of the traditional formulation of the ends of marriage (i.e. listing the good of the couple before the procreation and education of children). They thought there should be a specific Council document about the Blessed Virgin Mary, not merely a chapter in ''[[Lumen gentium]]''. Some also favoured a solemn definition of a fifth [[Mariology|Mariological]] [[dogma]], which would proclaim Mary as Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix and advocate for the Church with the [[Trinity|Most Blessed Trinity]].

Lefebvre's chief area of concern at the Council was the debate about the principle of [[Freedom of religion|religious liberty]]. During the Council's third session (September to November 1964) Pope Paul VI appointed Lefebvre to a special commission to discuss the draft document on the topic, but at the request of a number of more liberal cardinals he was removed from the commission before it met. Lefebvre and Cardinal Ottaviani had proposed instead a constitution that would proclaim the principle of [[religious tolerance]], but not of absolute [[freedom of religion]] in the public sphere, which they deemed [[relativist]]ic.{{fact}} The ''Coetus Internationalis Patrum'' did, however, manage to get the preliminary vote (with suggestions for modifications) on the document put off until the fourth session of the Council, but were unable to prevent the adoption, on [[7 December]] [[1965]], of the final text of the declaration ''[[Dignitatis humanae]]'' by the overwhelming majority of the Council. The claim by some that this overwhelming majority was due to intense lobbying by the reformist wing of Council fathers among those who initially had reservations or even objections<ref>''Der Rhein fliesst in den Tiber: eine Geschichte des Zweiten Vatikanischen Konzils'', Wiltgen SVD, Ralph M., [[Feldkirch]]. Lins. cop. 1988. p. 316</ref> is not universally accepted. Although Lefebvre voted against the declaration<ref>"Thus, during the final vote on the morning of December 7 (when the fathers had to choose between a simple approval or disapproval of the last draft), he was one of the 70 -- about 3 percent of the total -- who voted against the schema." [http://www.catholicculture.org/docs/doc_view.cfm?recnum=857 FIDELITY ARTICLE - Marcel Lefebvre: Signatory to Dignitatis Humanae]

Rev. Brian Harrison, O.S. Fidelity Magazine, March 1994 Issue</ref>, he then signed it. In later years, Lefebvre sometimes said or wrote that he did not sign ''Dignitatis humanae'' <ref>Tissier de Mallerais, Bernard, ''Marcel Lefebvre: The Biography'' (Kansas City, Mo.: Angelus Press, 2004), 312-313. ISBN 1-892331-24-1</ref>; in an interview printed in ''The Angelus'' in January 1991, he stated that he had voted against the declaration, and that his signature was only an indication of his presence at the voting.<ref>''In the Angelus interview, however, Archbishop Lefebvre insisted that the published page showing his signature was merely "a large sheet. . . passed from hand to hand among the fathers of the Council. . . upon which everyone placed his signature." This sheet, the archbishop continued, "had no meaning of a vote for or against, but signified simply our presence at the meeting to vote for four documents." In order to emphasize what he saw as the absurdity of Fr. de Blignieres' claim, Lefebvre stressed that "the approbation or refusal of the documents was obviously accomplished for each document separately, the vote was in secret, accomplished on individual cards, and made with a special pencil, which permitted the electronic calculation of the votes."'' [http://www.catholicculture.org/docs/doc_view.cfm?recnum=857 FIDELITY ARTICLE - Marcel Lefebvre: Signatory to Dignitatis Humanae]

Rev. Brian Harrison, O.S. Fidelity Magazine, March 1994 Issue. The [http://www.sspx.ca/Angelus/ Angelus Magazine] does not currently have electronic archives covering 1991.</ref>

== The Society of Saint Pius X ==

{{main|Society of Saint Pius X}}

After retiring from the post of Superior General of the Holy Ghost Fathers, Lefebvre was approached by [[Traditionalist Catholic|traditionalists]] from the French Seminary in [[Rome]] who had been refused the [[tonsure]] because of their traditional views<ref>[http://www.thewandererpress.com/b9-18-2003.htm The Wanderer Interviews Fr. Aulagnier, SSPX], Luc Gagnon, September 18, 2003</ref> asking for a conservative seminary to complete their studies.<ref>"That was when a few of the young men at the French Seminary, Mr. Aulagnier, Mr. Cottard and a few others, I think there were around a half dozen, came to see me to describe the situation at the French Seminary where things were getting worse and worse: no more discipline, the seminarists were out at night, no more cassock, a new liturgy every week." [http://www.sspxafrica.com/documents/2003_SepOct/Monsignor_Lefebvre_in_his_own_words.htm September-October 2003] Monsignor Lefebvre in his own words</ref> After directing them to the University of [[Fribourg]], [[Switzerland]],<ref>"I thought there would be a way to put these few seminarists in the Holy Ghost Fathers' seminary in Freiburg so that they could continue their studies at the University." [http://www.sspxafrica.com/documents/2003_SepOct/Monsignor_Lefebvre_in_his_own_words.htm September-October 2003] Monsignor Lefebvre in his own words</ref> Lefebvre was urged to teach these seminarians personally.<ref>''Knowing that I was sort of looking after some seminarists, Fr. Philip, a Dominican, Mr. Bernard Faÿ, a layman, both professors at the University, Fr. Abbe d'Houterive and another layman who was also friendly with us and who looked after teaching in Freiburg asked to come and see me. They wanted to talk a bit about the question of forming seminarists. They were interested and wanted to know if there wasn't something that could be done.'' [http://www.sspxafrica.com/documents/2003_SepOct/Monsignor_Lefebvre_in_his_own_words.htm September-October 2003] Monsignor Lefebvre in his own words</ref> In 1969, he received permission from the local bishop to establish a seminary in Fribourg which opened with nine students<ref>''We started, waiting to see who would come: Mr. Aulagnier, Mr. Tissier de Mallerais, Mr. Pellabeuf and then six others sent by Fr. Philippe and by other friends in Freiburg, so in the beginning there were nine of them.'' [http://www.sspxafrica.com/documents/2003_NovDec/Monsignor_Lefebvre_in_his_own_words.htm November-December 2003] Monsignor Lefebvre in his own words</ref>, moving to [[Ecône]] in 1971.

Lefebvre proposed to his seminarians the establishment of a society of priests without vows.<ref>“We must stay together, found a society to keep us together, then try and find a bishop who will accept us and let us carry on with Tradition, I can’t see any other way” [http://www.sspxafrica.com/documents/2003_SepOct/Monsignor_Lefebvre_in_his_own_words.htm September-October 2003] Monsignor Lefebvre in his own words</ref> In November 1970, Bishop François Charrière of Fribourg established, on a provisional (''ad experimentum'') basis for six years, the [[Society of St. Pius X|International Priestly Society of Saint Pius X]] (SSPX) as a "pious union".<ref>''Pia unio'' - the preliminary stage towards becoming an officially recognized religious institute or [[Society of Apostolic Life]]. For the decree see

[http://www.sspxasia.com/Documents/Archbishop-Lefebvre/Apologia/Vol_one/Appendix_V.htm Appendix V] of [[Apologia pro Marecel Lefebvre]]</ref>

The French bishops treated the [[The International Seminary of Saint Pius X|Ecône seminary]] with suspicion and referred to it as a wildcat seminary.<ref>"The success of Ecône provided so dramatic a contrast to this débâcle that its very existence became intolerable for some French bishops. They referred to it as Le Séminaire Sauvage - the Wildcat Seminary - giving the impression that it had been set up illegally without the authorization of the Vatican. This appellation was seized upon gleefully by the Liberal Catholic press throughout the world and soon the terms 'Ecône' and 'Wildcat Seminary' became synonymous."[http://www.sspxasia.com/Documents/Archbishop-Lefebvre/Apologia/Vol_one/Chapter_2.htm Volume 1, Chapter 2] Apologia Pro Marcel Lefebvre</ref> They indicated that they would incardinate none of the seminarians.<ref>''A statement condemning those who adhere to the Old Mass made by the French episcopate on 14 November 1974 was certainly aimed against Ecône, for at the same time the bishops let it be known that they would not accept any priests from Ecône in their dioceses.'' [http://www.sspxasia.com/Documents/Archbishop-Lefebvre/Apologia/Vol_one/Chapter_4.htm Volume 1 Chapter 4] Apologia Pro Marcel Lefebvre, Michael Davies</ref>

In November 1974, two Belgian priests<ref>"The two Visitors were both Belgians: Mgr. Descamps, a biblical scholar, and Mgr. Onclin, a canonist."[http://www.sspxasia.com/Documents/Archbishop-Lefebvre/Apologia/Vol_one/Chapter_4.htm Volume 1 Chapter 4] Apologia Pro Marcel Lefebvre, Michael Davies</ref> carried out a rigorous inspection<ref>"The Apostolic Visitation was carried out with great thoroughness. Professors and students were subjected to searching and detailed questions concerning every aspect of life in the Seminary."[http://www.sspxasia.com/Documents/Archbishop-Lefebvre/Apologia/Vol_one/Chapter_4.htm Volume 1 Chapter 4]Apologia Pro Marcel Lefebvre, Michael Davies</ref> on the instructions of a commission of cardinals,<ref>''On 23 June 1974 the Commission of Cardinals met and decided upon a canonical visitation of the Seminary.'' [http://www.sspxasia.com/Documents/Archbishop-Lefebvre/Apologia/Vol_one/Chapter_4.htm Volume 1 Chapter 4] Apologia Pro Marcel Lefebvre, Michael Davies</ref> producing, it was said, a favourable report.<ref>"Archbishop Lefebvre was told that this examination was very positive and that he just had to come to Rome and clarify some questions."[http://www.sspx.ca/Angelus/1990_November/Ec%F4ne.htm Conference of Father Franz Schmidberger, Superior General of the Society of St. Pius X] at Rockdale, Sydney, Australia October 16, 1990 by Father Gerard Hogan and Father François Laisney]</ref> However, while at Ecône, they expressed a number of theological opinions that the seminarians and staff judged to be scandalous.<ref>"However, considerable scandal was occasioned by opinions which the two Roman Visitors expressed in the presence of the students and staff. For, according to Mgr. Lefebvre, these two Visitors considered it normal and indeed inevitable that there should be a married clergy; they did not believe there was an immutable Truth; and they also had doubts concerning the traditional concept of our Lord's Resurrection." [http://www.sspxasia.com/Documents/Archbishop-Lefebvre/Apologia/Vol_one/Chapter_4.htm Volume 1 Chapter 4]Apologia Pro Marcel Lefebvre, Michael Davies citing "Hanu, pp. 206-207" which refers to J. Hanu, Non, Entretiens de Joss Hanu avec Mgr. Lefebvre (Editions Stock, 1977)</ref> In what he later described as a mood of "doubtlessly excessive indignation",<ref>''On 21 November 1974, in reaction to the scandal occasioned by these opinions of the Apostolic Visitors, Mgr. Lefebvre considered it necessary to make clear where he stood in relation to the Rome represented by this attitude of mind. "This," he said, "was the origin of my Declaration which was, it is true, drawn up in a spirit of doubtlessly excessive indignation.”'', Apologia pro Marcel Lefebvre, [http://www.sspxasia.com/Documents/Archbishop-Lefebvre/Apologia/Vol_one/Chapter_4.htm Volume 1, Chapter 4], Michael Davies, 1979</ref> the Archbishop wrote a "Declaration" in which he strongly attacked the liberal trends that he saw as apparent in the contemporary Church.<ref>[http://www.sspx.org/SSPX_FAQs/appendix_I._declaration.htm The DECLARATION of Archbishop Lefebvre]</ref>

== Clash with the Vatican ==

In January 1975 the incumbent Bishop of Fribourg stated his wish to withdraw the SSPX's pious union status.<ref>''On 24 January 1975, Mgr. Mamie, Bishop of Lausanne, Geneva, and Fribourg, wrote to Cardinal Tabera, Prefect of the Congregation for Religious. In this letter he stated that, following the meeting of 21 January and having made a careful study of Mgr. Lefebvre's Declaration, he considered it a sad but urgent necessity to withdraw the approval given by his predecessor to the Society of St. Pius X.'' [http://www.sspxasia.com/Documents/Archbishop-Lefebvre/Apologia/Vol_one/Chapter_4.htm Volume 1, Chapter 4] Apologia pro Marcel Lefebvre, Michael Davies</ref>. Though Lefebvre then had two meetings with the commission of Cardinals,<ref>''On 13 February, Mgr. Lefebvre met the Commission of Cardinals as arranged. There was a further session on 3 March.'' [http://www.sspxasia.com/Documents/Archbishop-Lefebvre/Apologia/Vol_one/Chapter_4.htm Volume 1, Chapter 4], [[Apologia pro Marecel Lefebvre]] by [[Michael Davies (Catholic writer)|Michael Davies]]</ref> the Bishop put his intention into effect on 6 May 1975,<ref>''On 6 May 1975 Mgr. Mamie wrote to Mgr. Lefebvre stating that after long months of prayer and reflection he had reached the sad but necessary decision that he must withdraw all the acts and concessions granted by his predecessor to the Society of St. Pius X.'' [http://www.sspxasia.com/Documents/Archbishop-Lefebvre/Apologia/Vol_one/Chapter_4.htm Volume 1, Chapter 4], [[Apologia pro Marecel Lefebvre]] by [[Michael Davies (Catholic writer)|Michael Davies]]</ref> thereby officially dissolving the Society.<ref>''Pope Paul VI canonically suppressed the SSPX and its seminary in 1975.'' [http://www.envoymagazine.com/backissues/4.6/lefebvre.htm My Journey out of the Lefebvre Schism], by Pete Vere, Envoy Magazine, Volume 4.6, Retrieved 11 September 2006</ref> Lefebvre continued his work regardless.<ref>''He opted for the former course having taken legal advice from competent canon lawyers who advised him that, despite the letter from Pope Paul dated 29 June 1975, the entire legal process taken against the Fraternity had been so irregular that it could not be considered as having been legally suppressed.'' [http://www.sspxasia.com/Documents/Archbishop-Lefebvre/Apologia/Vol_one/Chapter_11.htm Volume 1, Chapter 11], [[Apologia pro Marcel Lefebvre]], [[Michael Davies (Catholic writer)|Michael Davies]]</ref>

In the [[consistory]] of [[24 May]] [[1976]], [[Pope Paul VI]] criticized Archbishop Lefebvre by name and appealed to him and his followers to change their minds.<ref>Nos igitur iterum adhortamur hos Nostros fratres ac filios, eosque exoramus, ut conscii fiant gravium vulnerum quae secus Ecclesiae illaturi sunt. Invitationem ipsis iteramus, ut secum recogitent gravia Christi monita de Ecclesiae unitate (Cfr. Io. 17, 21 ss.) ac de oboedientia erga legitimum Pastorem, ab Ipso universo gregi praepositum, cum signum oboedientiae sit quae Patri ac Filio debetur (Cfr. Luc. 10, 16). Nos eos aperto corde exspectamus apertisque bracchiis ad eos prompte amplectendos: utinam humilitatis exemplum praebentes, ad gaudium Populi Dei rursus viam unitatis et amoris ingredi valeant! ([http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/speeches/1976/documents/hf_p-vi_spe_19760524_concistoro_lt.html Consistory for the creation of twenty new Cardinals (May 24, 1976)]</ref>

On [[June 29]] [[1976]], Lefebvre went ahead with planned ordinations despite receiving letters from Rome forbidding them. As a result Lefebvre was suspended ''a collatione ordinum'', i.e., forbidden to [[ordination|ordain]] any priests. A week later, the Prefect of the [[Congregation for Bishops]] informed him that, to have his situation regularized, he needed to ask the Pope's pardon. Lefebvre responded with a letter claiming that the modernisation of the Church was a "compromise with the ideas of modern man" originating in a secret agreement between high dignitaries in the Church and senior Freemasons prior to the Council.<ref>''Let Your Holiness abandon that ill-omened undertaking of compromise with the ideas of modern man, an undertaking which originates in a secret understanding between high dignitaries in the Church and those of Masonic lodges, since before the Council.'', [http://www.sspxasia.com/Documents/Archbishop-Lefebvre/Apologia/Vol_one/Chapter_12.htm Letter of Mgr. Lefebvre to Pope Paul VI], 17 July 1976, Quoted in Apologia pro Marcel Lefebvre by Michael Davies</ref> Lefebvre was then notified that, since he had not apologised to the Pope, he was suspended ''a divinis'',<ref>''Archbishop Lefebvre, who had been suspended a divinis two years earlier by Pope Paul VI for insubordination'', [http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=37861 “All We Ask is for the Mass”], by Roger McCaffrey and [[Thomas Woods]], May 2005, Catholic World News</ref> i.e., he could no longer legally administer ''any'' of the sacraments.<ref>''According to canonist Peter Vere, this meant Lefebvre was "now forbidden by the Holy See from the exercise of holy orders, a prohibition reserved to the Holy Father personally. In other words, his suspension was now perpetual until its absolution and applicable to more than simply the ordination of seminarians to major orders"'' [http://www.catholiculture.com/docs/doc_view.cfm?recnum=5225 Holier than Thou], Brian O'Neel, This Rock, April 2003, Pages 18 - 24, quoting Vere and William Woestman, O.M.I., [http://home.earthlink.net/~grossklas/canonicalhistory.html Is the Society of St. Pius X in Schism?]</ref> Lefebvre said that he had been forbidden from celebrating the new rite of Mass,<ref>''The 23 of July suspensio a divinis forbids him to celebrate the New Mass, as the Archbishop says with humor, and also to ordain priests because the Society doesn't exist any more'' [http://www.smac.edu/OldSite/history/sspx_anniversary/ The International Priestly Society of Saint Pius X XXV Anniversary 1970-1995 A family diary], Conference given by Fr. Anglés at Kansas City, November 1, 1995</ref> as if, Pope Paul VI remarked, "he thought he dodged the penalty by administering the sacraments using the previous formulas."<ref>"arbitrans te poenam istam devitare, si sacramenta administras anterioribus formulis utens" ([http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/letters/1976/documents/hf_p-vi_let_19761011_arc-lefebvre_lt.html Letter of [[11 October]] [[1976]] to Archbishop Lefebvre])</ref>

Lefebvre was received in audience by Paul VI on [[11 September]] [[1976]],<ref>[http://www.sspxasia.com/Documents/Archbishop-Lefebvre/Apologia/Vol_one/Chapter_14.htm Volume 1, Chapter 14] Apologia Pro Marcel Lefebvre</ref> and one month later the Pope wrote to him, repeating the appeal he had made to him at the audience.<ref>In this [http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/letters/1976/documents/hf_p-vi_let_19761011_arc-lefebvre_lt.html letter] the Pope asked Archbishop Lefebvre to accept the documents of the Second Vatican Council in their obvious meaning, the legitimacy of the revised liturgy, the obligatory character of the norms of canon law then in force, and the authority of the diocesan bishops over preaching and administration of the sacraments in their dioceses.</ref> In 1978, sixty days after his election, [[Pope John Paul II]] received Lefebvre in audience,<ref>''Weeks after becoming Pope in 1978, he granted Lefebvre's request for an audience (their only meeting) and repeatedly expressed his desire for peace.''[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,967777,00.html The Archbishop Calls It Quits], RICHARD N. OSTLING, TIME, June 27, 1988</ref> again without concrete results for either side.

== Ecône Consecrations ==

{{main|Ecône Consecrations}}

In a 1987 sermon Lefebvre, now aged 81, announced his intention to consecrate a bishop to carry on his work after his death.<ref>''The situation is such, the work placed in our hands by the good Lord is such, that faced with this darkness in Rome, faced with the Roman authorities' pertinacity in error, faced with this refusal to return to Truth or Tradition on the part of those who occupy the seats of authority in Rome, faced with all these things, it seems to us that the good Lord is asking for the Church to continue. This is why it is likely that before I give acco/sspof my life to the good Lord, I shall have to consecrate some bishops.'' [http://www.sspxasia.com/Documents/Archbishop-Lefebvre/Bishops-to-save-the-church.htm Bishops to Save the Church], Marcel Lefebvre, June 1987</ref> This was controversial as under Catholic [[canon law]], the consecration of a bishop requires the permission of the Pope.<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xii/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_29061958_ad-apostolorum-principis_en.html AD APOSTOLORUM PRINCIPIS], ENCYCLICAL OF POPE PIUS XII ON COMMUNISM AND THE CHURCH IN CHINA</ref>

Although, on [[5 May]] [[1988]] Lefebvre signed an agreement with [[Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger]], by which, as part of an arrangement by which the situation of the Society of St Pius X would be regularized, one bishop would be consecrated for it<ref>[http://www.unavoce.org/protocol.htm Protocol of Agreement between the Holy See and the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X] This is an English translation of the original French.</ref> Lefebvre came to the view that he was obliged to ordain a successor, if necessary without papal approval.<ref>''That is why, taking into account the strong will of the present Roman authorities to reduce Tradition to naught, to gather the world to the spirit of Vatican II and the spirit of Assisi, we have preferred to withdraw ourselves and to say that we could not continue. It was not possible. We would have evidently been under the authority of Cardinal Ratzinger, President of the Roman Commission, which would have directed us; we were putting ourselves into his hands, and consequently putting ourselves into the hands of those who wish to draw us into the spirit of the Council and the spirit of Assisi. This was simply not possible.''[http://www.sspxasia.com/Documents/Archbishop-Lefebvre/Episcopal-Consecration.htm Sermon on the occasion of the Episcopal Consecration], Marcel Lefebvre, June 1988</ref> The Pope appealed to him not to proceed in "a [[schism (religion)|schism]]atic act", warning of "theological and canonical consequences".<ref>''On 3 June, Lefebvre wrote that he would still go ahead with the 30 June consecrations. On [[9 June]] [[1988]], Pope John Paul II replied to him with a personal letter, recalling the agreement the archbishop had signed on [[5 May]] and appealing to him not to proceed with a design that "would be seen as nothing other than a schismatic act, the theological and canonical consequences of which are known to you." When no reply came from Lefebvre, this letter was made public on [[16 June]].''[http://www.latinmassireland.org/newshappenings/jp2_obit.html Pope John Paul II, an Obituary], Latin Mass Society of Ireland</ref>

Archbishop Lefebvre consecrated four SSPX priests; [[Bernard Tissier de Mallerais]], [[Richard Williamson]], [[Alfonso de Galarreta]] and [[Bernard Fellay]];<ref>''3. In itself this act was one of disobedience to the Roman pontiff in a very grave matter and of supreme importance for the unity of the Church, such as is the ordination of bishops whereby the apostolic succession is sacramentally perpetuated. Hence such disobedience--which implies in practice the rejection of the Roman primacy--constitutes a schismatic act. [Code of Canon Law, 751.] In performing such an act, notwithstanding the formal canonical warning sent to them by the cardinal prefect of the Congregation for Bishops last June 17, Archbishop Lefebvre and the priests Bernard Fellay, Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, Richard Williamson and Alfonso de Galarreta have incurred the grave penalty of excommunication envisaged by ecclesiastical law. [Cf. Code of Canon Law, 1382.]'' [http://www.newadvent.org/library/docs_jp02ed.htm Ecclesia Dei]</ref> with Bishop Emeritus [[Antônio de Castro Mayer]] of [[Campos dos Goytacazes|Campos]], [[Brazil]], as co-consecrator.<ref>''Moreover, I declare that Monsignor Antonio de Castro Mayer, Bishop emeritus of Campos, since he took part directly in the liturgical celebration as co-consecrator and adhered publicly to the schismatical act, has incurred excommunication latae sententiae as envisaged by canon 1364, 1.'' [http://www.latinmassmagazine.com/articles/articles_2002_SU_Devillers.html A Response to Christopher Ferrara] by Father Arnaud Devillers, Superior General, Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter – Summer 2002, Latin Mass magazine</ref>

On [[2 July]] [[Pope John Paul II]] condemned the consecration in the apostolic letter [[Ecclesia Dei]],<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/motu_proprio/documents/hf_jp-ii_motu-proprio_02071988_ecclesia-dei_en.html ECCLESIA DEI] From the Office of the Congregation for Bishops, 1 July 1988</ref> in which he stated that the consecration "constitute[d] a schismatic act", and that, by virtue of canon 1382 of the Code,<ref>"Can. 1382 A bishop who consecrates some one a bishop without a pontifical mandate and the person who receives the consecration from him incur a latae sententiae excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See." [http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P54.HTM TITLE III. USURPATION OF ECCLESIASTICAL FUNCTIONS AND DELICTS IN THEIR EXERCISE (Cann. 1378 - 1389)] Code of Canon Law</ref> all the bishops involved were automatically excommunicated.<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/motu_proprio/documents/hf_jp-ii_motu-proprio_02071988_ecclesia-dei_en.html ECCLESIA DEI] From the Office of the Congregation for Bishops, 1 July 1988</ref>

Lefebvre declared that he had not withdrawn his submission to the Pope<ref>''We are not schismatics! If an excommunication was pronounced against the bishops of China, who separated themselves from Rome and put themselves under the Chinese government, one very easily understands why Pope Pius XII excommunicated them. There is no question of us separating ourselves from Rome, nor of putting ourselves under a foreign government, nor of establishing a sort of parallel church as the Bishops of Palmar de Troya have done in Spain. They have even elected a pope, formed a college of cardinals... It is out of the question for us to do such things. Far from us be this miserable thought to separate ourselves from Rome!'' [http://www.sspxasia.com/Documents/Archbishop-Lefebvre/Episcopal-Consecration.htm Sermon on the occasion of the Episcopal Consecration], Marcel Lefebvre, June 1988</ref> and that the crisis in the Church justified the consecrations,<ref>''Thus, we find ourselves in a case of necessity. We have done all we could, trying to help Rome to understand that they had to come back to the attitudes of the holy Pius XII and of all his predecessors. Bishop de Castro Mayer and myself have gone to Rome, we have spoken, we have sent letters, several times to Rome. We have tried by these talks, by all these means, to succeed in making Rome understand that, since the Council and since aggiornamento, this change which has occurred in the Church is not Catholic, is not in conformity to the doctrine of all times. This ecumenism and all these errors, this collegiality - all this is contrary to the Faith of the Church, and is .in the process of destroying the Church.'' [http://www.sspxasia.com/Documents/Archbishop-Lefebvre/Episcopal-Consecration.htm Sermon on the occasion of the Episcopal Consecration], Marcel Lefebvre, June 1988</ref> although the Holy See rejects this argument as Lefebvre had been served with express canonical warnings.{{fact}}

== Death ==

Archbishop Lefebvre died in 1991 at the age of 85 from cancer in [[Martigny, Switzerland]]<ref>''The French-born prelate died of cancer on March 25 at the age of 85, almost three years after being excommunicated for defying papal orders.'', [[Associated Press]], reproduced in the [[New York Times]] April 3, 1991</ref> and is buried in the [[crypt]] at the [[The International Seminary of Saint Pius X|society's international seminary]] in [[Ecône, Switzerland]].<ref>For an account of the funeral and burial see [http://www.sspx.ca/Angelus/2002_April/In_Memoriam.htm In Memoriam Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre], The Angelus, April 2002 , Volume XXV, Number 4</ref>

== Episcopal Succession ==

{{Episcopal_Succession |

| date of consecration=[[September 18]] [[1947]]

| consecrated by=[[Achille Cardinal Lienart]]

| bishopconsecrated1 = bishopconsecrated1

| bishop 1=[[Georges-Henri Guibert]]

| consecration date 1=[[February 19]] [[1950]]

| bishopconsecrated2 = bishopconsecrated2

| bishop 2=[[Emile-Elie Verhille]]

| consecration date 2=[[December 21]] [[1951]]

| bishopconsecrated3 = bishopconsecrated3

| bishop 3=[[Gordon Anthony Pantin]]

| consecration date 3=[[March 19]] [[1968]]

| bishopconsecrated5 = bishopconsecrated5

| bishop 4=[[Bernard Tissier de Mallerais]]

| consecration date 4=[[June 30]] [[1988]]

| bishopconsecrated6 = bishopconsecrated6

| bishop 5=[[Richard Williamson]]

| consecration date 5=[[June 30]] [[1988]]

| bishopconsecrated7 = bishopconsecrated7

| bishop 6=[[Alfonso de Galarreta]]

| consecration date 6=[[June 30]] [[1988]]

| bishopconsecrated8 = bishopconsecrated8

| bishop 7=[[Bernard Fellay]]

| consecration date 7=[[June 30]] [[1988]]

| bishopconsecrated4 = bishopconsecrated4

| bishop 8=

| consecration date 8=

| bishopconsecrated9 = null

| bishop 9=

| consecration date 9=

| bishopconsecrated10 = null

| bishop 10=

| consecration date 10=

| bishopconsecrated11 = null

| bishop 11=

| consecration date 11=

| bishopconsecrated12 = null

| bishop 12=

| consecration date 12=

| bishopconsecrated13 = null

| bishop 13=

| consecration date 13=

| bishopconsecrated14 = null

| bishop 14=

| consecration date 14=

| bishopconsecrated15 = null

| bishop 15=

| consecration date 15=

| bishopconsecrated16 = null

| bishop 16=

| consecration date 16=

| bishopconsecrated17 = null

| bishop 17=

| consecration date 17=

| bishopconsecrated18 = null

| bishop 18=

| consecration date 18=

| bishopconsecrated19 = null

| bishop 19=

| consecration date 19=

| bishopconsecrated20 = null

| bishop 20=

| consecration date 20=

}}

'''Colletotrichum musae''' is a plant pathogen.

==References==

<div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;"><references /></div>

==Further reading==

Tissier de Mallerais, Bernard. ''Marcel Lefebvre: The Biography''. Kansas City, Mo.: Angelus Press, 2004. The definitive biography of Lefebvre, originally published in French (Clovis, 2002). ISBN 1-892331-24-1

[[Dr. David Allen White]], ''The Horn of the Unicorn''. Kansas City, Mo.: [[Angelus Press]], 2006. ISBN 1-892331-39-X

==See alsoExternal links ==

*[[St. Mary's College, Kansas]]

*[[Personal Apostolic Administration of Saint John Mary Vianney]]

[http://www.speciesfungorum.org/Names/Names.asp Index Fungorum]<br>

[[Category:1905 births|Lefebvre, Marcel]]

[http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases USDA ARS Fungal Database]<br>

[[Category:1991 deaths|Lefebvre, Marcel]]

[[Category:Roman Catholic archbishops|Roman Catholic archbishops]]

[[Category:Society of St. Pius X|Lefebvre]]

[[Category:Deceased Traditionalist Catholic Bishops|Lefebvre]]

[[Category:Coetus Internationalis Patrum]]

[[Category:Plant pathogens and diseases]]

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