Marcel Lefebvre

by Bernard Tissier de Mallerais

With over 2,000 references and 1,500 names cited, this is the definitive biography of the Archbishop, written by one of his closest associates, Bishop Bernard Tissier de Mallerais ¾a scholar in his own right. Critics have said of the original French "magisterial," "well-researched, serious, and honest," "reveals unsuspected facets. A very complete work," "a rich, important contribution to contemporary religious history," "a literary event," "a landmark." Influential French traditional Catholic publisher Jean Madiran said, "...the fruit of several years of considerable labor. The book is rich in documentation, often unpublished, and in many theological observations." Marcel Lefebvre’s (1905-91) career 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 Ecône (Switzerland) with canonical approval. He gradually became well-known throughout the world because of his adherence to the "Latin Mass," his opposition to some of the innovations of Vatican II (1962-65), and his disagreements with Pope Paul VI. After the Vatican sanctioned him and the Society, he celebrated a "forbidden Mass" in Lille, France (1976), before 10,000 Catholics and 400 journalists, an event that brought him and his convictions international status. In 1988 he made headlines again when he consecrated four bishops without the permission of Pope John Paul II. All Catholics, particularly those attached to the Tridentine Mass, owe a huge debt of gratitude to this man who was so extraordinarily sure of himself only because he was absolutely sure of God. We ought to know him better.

Genres: Catholic, Biography, History, Christianity, Nonfiction, Religion

670 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Bernard Tissier de Mallerais was a French traditionalist Catholic prelate who served as a bishop of the Society of Saint Pius X.

Reviews

[Paul Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a truly excellent biography. The research is extremely thorough, the presentation is frank and compelling, and the portrait of the Archbishop goes beyond mere facts to help the reader see clearly who he was in himself.

Research: it seems practically exhaustive. The Archbishop's life was long, he lived in Africa for 30 years, he was an extremely active man, his travels took him all over the world and he interacted with thousands of people. Yet Bishop Tissier follows him closely, gathering whatever information might be out there, from written testimonies to interviews to manuscripts to audio conferences at Econe to sermons to Holy Ghost Father bulletins. Bishop Tissier is not satisfied with saying where the Archbishop is and what he is doing. He also passes on to the reader information gleaned from history books about the political situation at the time, about the background of various players in the story, and even geographical information! Yet the research is always at the service of the biography and never overwhelms it in such a way as to tire the reader.

Frank and compelling: the biography is written by a man who was one of the first seminarians of the SSPX and who was consecrated a bishop by Archbishop Lefebvre in 1988. The reader is not expecting a completely dispassionate and detached presentation of the man who most influenced Bishop Tissier's life. Thanks be to God, the reader does not get that. At the same time, he does not get a hagiography, a cleaned-up presentation of the Archbishop that glosses over anything that might make him appear in a bad light. On the contrary, it seems that Bishop Tissier does not hesitate to manifest the Archbishop who, while practicing heroic virtue, at the same time was a real human being with faults. His superior is quoted as saying that he is "stubborn as a mule", he is shown in some situations to be too trusting of his inferiors, his misunderstanding about signing all of the documents of Vatican II is discussed head-on, as well as the few times that the Archbishop wavered or changed his mind. This honesty and straightforwardness of the biographer only assists the reader to see that Archbishop Lefebvre was not one-dimensional and highlights the incredible strength, prudence, and goodness that contrast with his few faults.

Beyond the facts: it is frustrating whenever a biography simply retails history and does not go beyond the history to try to present the very thinking of the man, what made him tick, why he made the decisions he did, his motivations and struggles. Bishop Tissier does not fall into that trap. All throughout the book, he presents his own impressions of the Archbishop as well as the impressions of others. In addition, he lets the Archbishop speak for himself. You really feel like you get to know him in the course of the book. Moreover, there is a striking continuity in the picture that is formed of the man in a history that spans from 1905 to 1991. You see that the story being told is of the same man who yet is living through extremely different situations.

I am so happy that this resource is available to understand the life and work of one of the most important churchmen of the 20th century, thanks to the labors of Bishop Tissier de Mallerais.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

For many Catholics this will remain an untold story but it should not be. While this text is very flattering to the Archbishop, rarely admitting of any weaknesses or faults on his part, it does fairly state the conflict between his position and the somewhat conciliatory figure of Ratzinger serving under JPII - the letters exchanged are in the appendix.
I especially appreciated the context given for the players in the controversies of the Second Vatican Council. Also, most Catholics will not be aware that the "conservative" JPII was rather liberal in his wordy encyclicals and jetsetting apperances. Those simple anecdotes from the end of the book taken by themselves are enough to make one more sympathetic to the Archbishop, if the story of his long labors in the African Holy Ghost Father missions weren't enough.

[Jan Górak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning, well written by an intelligent mind of a saintly bishop. Shows the true personality of Archbishop Lefebvre, a great Catholic hero.

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE DEFINITIVE BIOGRAPHY OF THE FOUNDER OF THE SOCIETY OF ST. PIUS X

Archbishop Lefebvre (1905-1991) was of course the traditionalist French archbishop who founded the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) in 1970. Author Bernard Tissier de Mallerais was ordained a priest in 1975, appointed professor at the SSPX Seminary, and was its rector from 1979-1983; he was made bishop by Archbishop Lefebvre in 1988. This book was first published in 2002.

He recounts a meeting with John XXIII, "Archbishop Lefebvre cared little about making a career for himself. However, seeing 'Good Pope John' trustingly and naively relating the setbacks of his own life gave him an insight into this easy-going Pontiff's liberal personality. 'You be careful,' John had warned him, but Marcel would take no notice since he was quite resolved to state the undiminished truth at all times." (Pg. 259) He adds, "Archbishop Lefebvre summed up ... in a pithy expression which horrified the liberals: 'Only truth has rights, error has none.'" (Pg. 310)

He observes, "opposition to Archbishop Lefebvre among a group of French priests only continued to grow. Some of them even left the congregation rather than remain under the authority of a superior whose stances they did not accept. The Archbishop did everything to stop these eight priests leaving, since their conduct was a bad example." (Pg. 351-352) Later, he confided to a friend, "if ever I have to leave the congregation, I will found a traditional seminary and in three years I will have 150 seminarians." (Pg. 375)

He relates that Archbishop Lefebvre considered that "one cannot generally say that the New Mass is invalid or heretical'; however, 'it leads slowly to heresy.'" (Pg. 463) He adds, "In 1975 he still admitted that one could 'assist occasionally' at the New Mass when one feared going without Communion for a long time. However in 1977, he was more or less absolute: 'To avoid conforming to the evolution slowly taking place in the minds of priests, we must avoid---I could almost say completely---assisting at the New Mass.'" (Pg. 464) Despite opposition, "the seminarians were perfectly at peace. The Archbishop... never attacked the individuals, especially not the Pope. Thus, they had complete trust in the Archbishop who had promised them, 'I will not abandon you!'... The Archbishop's answer to the suppression was to march on." (Pg. 483)

In 1976, he said in an interview, "The [Second Vatican] Council ... broke with the Church of the past. It is a schismatic council... If we are certain that the Faith taught by the Church for twenty centuries can contain no error, we are much less certain that the Pope is truly Pope. Heresy, schism, excommunication... or invalid election are all causes that can possibly mean the Pope was never Pope, or is no longer Pope... How is it that a Pope... who is assured of the help of the Holy Ghost, can officiate at the destruction of the Church---the most radical, rapid, and widespread in her history---something no heresiarch has ever managed to achieve?" (Pg. 487)

In a personal meeting with Paul VI, Paul said, "'You condemn me... It's intolerable!... Why do you not accept the Council? You signed the decrees.' 'There were two that I did not sign.'" [Mallerais adds in a footnote, "In fact the Archbishop signed all the acts of the Council."] Lefebvre said, 'You have the solution in your hands. You only need say one thing to the bishops: "Welcome with understanding these groups of faithful who hold to Tradition ... give them places to worship... Leave me my seminary. Let me carry out this experiment of Tradition. I truly want to have normal relations with the Holy See..." Paul said, "Dialogue is impossible," and left. (Pg. 491-492)

Mallerais laments, "Unfortunately, [Lefebvre's] words were not always listened to, and shoots that were once full of promise detached themselves from the tree and rejoined the Conciliar Church or sadly fell away... some priests and seminarians were attracted by sedevacantist theories that gave them reassurance in their extravagant or activist zeal, and broke away... ending up sometimes as deluded 'independent priests' divided among themselves..." (Pg. 516)

For anyone interested in the Catholic Church, the Traditionalist movement, Sedevacantism, or Lefebvre, this vastly informative book will be essential reading.

[Rachael Malfer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read. Bordered on almost too much information that, while helpful in truly understanding him, could at times seem a bit overwhelming.

[Καιρὸς · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lefebvre Ora pro nobis!