Marcel Lefebvre

Marcel Lefebvre

Marcel François Marie Joseph Lefebvre (29 November 1905 – 25 March 1991) was a French Roman Catholic archbishop. Following a career as an Apostolic Delegate for West Africa and Superior General of the Holy Ghost Fathers, he took the lead in opposing the changes within the Church associated with the Second Vatican Council.

In 1970, Lefebvre founded the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX). In 1988, against the express prohibition of Pope John Paul II, he consecrated four bishops to continue his work with the SSPX. The Holy See immediately declared that he and the other bishops who had participated in the ceremony had incurred automatic excommunication under Catholic canon law.

Read more about Marcel Lefebvre:  Early Life and Ministry, Bishop in Africa, Superior General of The Holy Ghost Fathers, Second Vatican Council, Society of Saint Pius X, Clash With The Vatican, Écône Consecrations, Death, Works, Episcopal Succession