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Modern · Bishop
Abp. Marcel Lefebvre
Archbishop of Dakar
MissionaryReformer
1905 – 1991
1929
Ordained
1947
Consecrated Bishop
Dakar
Diocese
France
Country
The Life
Marcel Lefebvre was a French archbishop, ordained in 1929, who spent decades as a missionary in Africa with the Holy Ghost Fathers. Consecrated bishop in 1947, he served as Apostolic Delegate for French-speaking Africa and as Archbishop of Dakar.
After the Second Vatican Council, which he criticized, he founded the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) in 1970 and its seminary at Écône to form priests in the traditional rite. In 1988 he consecrated four bishops without papal mandate; Pope John Paul II declared that this incurred excommunication. He remains a central but canonically irregular figure in the traditionalist movement.
Notable Actions
- Missionary bishop in Africa, Apostolic Delegate for French-speaking Africa, and Archbishop of Dakar (1955-1962)
- Superior General of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost (1962-1968)
- Founded the Society of Saint Pius X (1970) and its seminary at Écône to train priests in the older rite
- On 30 June 1988 consecrated four bishops without papal mandate; John Paul II declared the act incurred excommunication
- His four bishops had their excommunications lifted by Benedict XVI in 2009; the SSPX's canonical status remains unresolved
This ceremony, which is apparently done against the will of Rome, is in no way a schism. We are not schismatics.
Sermon at the episcopal consecrations, 30 June 1988Portrait: Jim, the Photographer / Wikimedia Commons