Part II - Who was Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre? - Episode 03 - SSPX FAQ Videos

In this video we continue from Part I to explore the fascinating story of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. From young missionary priest to Apostolic Delegate, Marcel Lefebvre's life is one that interests many Catholics today. -- Transcript from video -- This video on the life of Archbishop Lefebvre follows part one. We’re going here to uncover the last part of his life during and after Vatican II. During a time of great confusion within the Catholic Church, Archbishop Lefebvre showed his profound attachment to the Latin Tridentine Mass and his deep adhesion to Tradition. After a life of exemplary service in the Church, the Archbishop still had his greatest work ahead of him. His generous spirit and clear-sighted vision are still the beating heart of the Society of Saint Pius X today. In 1962, Archbishop Lefebvre was at the height of his career. Vatican II however, would prove for him a bitter disappointment. All of the texts he helped prepare during three years for the council were without vote rejected outright and new, more liberal and modern versions were imposed in their place. In response, the archbishop along with other prelates formed a conservative group called the Coetus Internationalis Patrum in which he served as chairman. This group primarily opposed the introduction of modernist tendencies into the council texts by proposing amendments. The Coetus was ultimately unsuccessful in countering these modernist reforms, and Archbishop Lefebvre left the council anxious. Additionally, the Holy Ghost Fathers, chaffing under the archbishop’s conservative leadership and requesting a change of the constitutions left him no other choice than to resign as their superior general at the General Chapter of 1968. Marcel Lefebvre was now sixty-three years old and, after a lifetime of service to the Church, planned to retire. Here the archbishop’s life dovetails with that of the Society of Saint Pius X. Following the repeated requests of several young men seeking a traditional priestly formation, Archbishop Lefebvre opened a new seminary in Econe, Switzerland. The local Ordinary, Bishop Francois Charriere, gave his blessing for this work, and on November 1, 1970 the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X was born. Archbishop Lefebvre, after guiding the Society of Saint Pius X, travelling and encouraging the keeping of Tradition all over the world, for over twenty years, died on March 25, 1991. He is buried in a crypt beneath his beloved seminary at Ecône where his remains can be visited today. On his tomb are marked the words of the apostle St. Paul: "Tradidi quod et accepi" I have transmitted what I have received. – 1 Cor. 15:3. For further understanding and insight on this question, we recommend watching the DVD: Archbishop Lefebvre—A Documentary, which can be found at Angeluspress.org. Another great source we recommend is to read “Marcel Lefebvre: the biography”, or the “Little story of my long life” and “Apologia Pro Marcel Lefebvre” by Michael Davis also available at Angeluspress.org To learn more, go to sspx.org and subscribe to our email list.