Traditional Catholic Teaching

Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre

We strongly recommend: The Biography of Marcel Lefebvre by Bishop Bernard Tissier De Mallerais (Angelus Press, Kansas City, 2002).

Marcel Lefebvre's career (1905-91) saw him make a meteoric rise through the ranks. At age 42, this missionary priest was appointed bishop in Senegal by Pope Pius XII. One year later, he was named as the Holy See's Apostolic Delegate for French-speaking Africa. In 1962 he was elected Superior General of the 5,000-member Holy Ghost Fathers. Pope John XXIII made him an Assistant to the Papal Throne and a member of the Preparatory Commission for the Second Vatican Council.

In 1968 he felt obliged to resign from his post as Superior General, and on November 1, 1970, he founded the Society of St. Pius X in Econe (Switzerland) with canonical approval. He gradually became well-known throughout the world because of his adherence to the "Latin Mass," his oppostion to some of the innovations of the Vatican II (1962-65), and his disagreements with Pope Paul VI.

What was the secret of the influence of this man who was the son of a deported member of the WWII French Resistance, a doctor in philosophy and theology, an officer of the Legion of Honor, who also knew and rubbed shoulders with many of the great personalities of his age: St. Padre Pio, Dr Albert Schweitzer in Lambarene (Africa), General de Gaulle in France, the future French presidents Francois Mitterand and Jacques Chirac, Pres. Lyndon Johnson, Pres. Eamon de Valera (Ireland), Pres. Leopold Senghor (Senegal), Pres. Omar Bongo (Gabon), writer and minister Andre Malraux and the philosopher Jean Guitton?

So - what was the secret influence of this man? The life of the late Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre is the story of an individual who was only so extraordinarily sure of himself because he was absolutely sure of God.

Deo Gratias

"That which I have received, I have passed on." (St. Paul)

"Euge, serve bone et fidelis; quia in pauca fuisti fidelis,
supra multa te constituam; intra in gaudium Domini tui."

"Well done, my good and faithful servant; since thou
hast been faithful over little things, I have great things
to commit to Thy charge;
come and share the joy of Thy Lord."

Matthew 25:21 (Knox)

Some photos of Interest

At the seminary in Librevillen. (1935)