Part I - Who was Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre? - Episode 02 - SSPX FAQ Videos

-- Transcript from video --

In this video, we’re going to uncover the life of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. Archbishop Lefebvre is one of the most fascinating characters of the twentieth century. Missionary priest, Archbishop of Dakar, Delegate Apostolic, founder of the Society of Saint Pius X, Archbishop Lefebvre still intrigues a lot of Catholics for his role and work especially during and after the Second Vatican Council. Who was Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre?

Marcel Lefebvre, founder of the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X, was born on November 29, 1905 in the northern French town of Tourcoing. The third of eight children, Marcel grew up under the supervision of his devout Catholic parents, Rene and Gabrielle, who owned a local textile factory.

Marcel, drawn to the priesthood from his youth, entered the French Seminary in Rome at the age of eighteen. Six years later he was ordained a priest; shortly thereafter he completed his doctorate in philosophy and theology and began pastoral work within the diocese of Lille.

Fr. Lefebvre’s older brother, a missionary of the Holy Ghost Fathers, urged the new priest to join him in Gabon, Africa. Fr. Lefebvre eventually acquiesced and joined the Holy Ghost Fathers in 1932; he was immediately sent to Gabon, first as a seminary professor, but was soon promoted to rector.

Marcel Lefebvre, after these early years, was entrusted with increasingly important responsibilities. He was called back to France and made rector of a seminary in Mortain; in 1947 Pope Pius XII appointed him Apostolic Vicar of Dakar and was thus consecrated a bishop; the following year the pope further honored Bishop Lefebvre by naming him Apostolic Delegate to French Africa, a vast territory covering nearly half of the continent and granting him the title of archbishop.

Pope John XXIII, like his predecessor, believed that Archbishop Lefebvre’s theological expertise, missionary experience, and background in education were of an exceptionally rare quality; the pope thus appointed him to the Preparatory Committee of the Second Vatican Council, a body charged with setting the agenda of the upcoming and much anticipated ecumenical council. The Holy Ghost Fathers were also quite impressed with the archbishop’s work and at their General Chapter of 1962, elected him superior general.

[DamseloftheFaith]

Archbishop Lefebvre was truly a great saint, I daresay, right under Pope Pius X.  He and his Society are actively playing a major part in the restoration of the Catholic Church.

The restoration comes from the Eldest Daughter of the Church, France.

Merci, Monsignor, for all that you have done for the Church of God, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the Catholic Priesthood!

[ellenraspberry]

I wonder if Abp. Lefebvre is now sitting very close to the apostles in Heaven, since it was he who was the main instrument of the Holy Ghost to keep the true Catholic Church. What a man!