Who Is Marcel Lefebvre? Age, Biography and Wiki
Marcel Lefebvre was born on November 29, 1905, in Tourcoing, France. He was an influential traditionalist Catholic archbishop known for his staunch opposition to the changes introduced by the Second Vatican Council. Lefebvre founded the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) in 1970 to preserve traditional Catholicism. He passed away on March 25, 1991, but his teachings and doctrines continue to inspire many traditionalists.
- Full Name: Marcel François Marie Lefebvre
- Date of Birth: November 29, 1905
- Date of Death: March 25, 1991
- Nationality: French
| Occupation | Theologians |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | November 29, 1905 |
| Age | 85 Years |
| Birth Place | Tourcoing, France |
| Horoscope | Sagittarius |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Date of death | 25 March, 1991 |
| Died Place | Martigny, Switzerland |
Popularity
Marcel Lefebvre's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Marcel Lefebvre's physical stature isn't widely documented, as his legacy largely transcends his physical presence. However, he was known for his dignified demeanor and authoritative posture, which complemented his role as a preacher and spiritual leader.
- Height: Approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm)
- Weight: Information on weight is not readily available, but he was described as of average build.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Marcel Lefebvre remained celibate throughout his life, as is typical for Catholic clergy. His commitment to his faith left little room for personal romantic relationships. His family background was religious, which influenced his vocation in the Catholic Church.
- Marital Status: Celibate
- Spouse: None
- Children: None
- Notable Family Members: Lefebvre came from a devout Catholic family, but specific names are not documented.
His parents were devout Catholics who brought their children to daily Mass. His father, René, was an outspoken monarchist, devoting his life to the cause of the French Dynasty, seeing in a monarchy the only way of restoring to his country its past grandeur and a Christian revival.
Net Worth and Salary
While specific figures regarding Marcel Lefebvre's net worth are not readily available due to the nature of his vocation, it is understood that traditional Catholic clergy typically do not accumulate significant wealth. Lefebvre's work with the SSPX was more about spiritual fulfillment than financial gain.
- Estimated Net Worth: Unknown
- Salary: As an archbishop, Lefebvre lived modestly; specific salary details are not disclosed.
* Opposition to Muslim immigration into Europe. In 1990, Lefebvre was convicted in a French court and sentenced to pay a fine of 5,000 francs when he stated in this connection that "it is your wives, your daughters, your children who will be kidnapped and dragged off to a certain kind of places [sic] as they exist in Casablanca".
Career, Business and Investments
Lefebvre's career was deeply rooted in his religious duties. After being ordained a priest in 1929 and later becoming a bishop in 1947, he dedicated his life to the Catholic Church. He gained notoriety for his traditionalist views, particularly during the turbulent times of the Second Vatican Council, which many followers perceived as diverging from the core teachings of the Church.
His founding of the Society of St. Pius X aimed to continue the celebration of the Latin Mass and uphold doctrinal purity. The SSPX has grown into a significant traditionalist organization, although its legal status remains contentious in relation to the Vatican.
On 12 June 1947, Pope Pius XII appointed him Vicar Apostolic of Dakar in Senegal and titular bishop of Anthedon. On 18 September 1947 he was consecrated a bishop in his family's parish church in Tourcoing by Liénart, now a cardinal, with Bishops Jean-Baptiste Fauret and Alfred-Jean-Félix Ancel as co-consecrators.
In his new position Lefebvre was responsible for an area with a population of three and a half million people, of whom only 50,000 were Catholics.
Social Network
Lefebvre was not known for his presence on social media, as platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram did not exist during his lifetime. However, his legacy continues to thrive through various traditional Catholic communities and SSPX followers who connect and share his teachings online today.
- Social Media Presence: N/A (deceased in 1991)
Lefebvre and some like-minded bishops became concerned about the direction of the council's deliberations and, led by Archbishop Geraldo de Proença Sigaud of Diamantina, formed a bloc that became known as the Coetus Internationalis Patrum (CIP) or International Group of Fathers, with the aim of guaranteeing their views were part of every council discussion.
Education
Marcel Lefebvre received his initial education in France before entering the seminary to pursue theology. He was well-educated in Catholic doctrine and philosophy, which significantly shaped his theological perspectives throughout his life.
- Educational Background:
- Studied at the Major Seminary of Lille.
- Further theological training at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome.
Shortly before the consecrations, Lefebvre gave the following sermon: "... this ceremony, which is apparently done against the will of Rome, is in no way a schism. We are not schismatics!
If an excommunication was pronounced against the bishops of China, who separated themselves from Rome and put themselves under the Chinese government, one very easily understands why Pope Pius XII excommunicated them.
There is no question of us separating ourselves from Rome, nor of putting ourselves under a foreign government, nor of establishing a sort of parallel church as the Bishops of Palmar de Troya have done in Spain. They have even elected a pope, formed a college of cardinals... It is out of the question for us to do such things.
Far from us be this miserable thought to separate ourselves from Rome!"
Conclusion
Marcel Lefebvre's legacy, while rooted in his time, continues to resonate with traditionalist Catholics today. His teachings and foundation of the SSPX have left a lasting impact on the Church, ensuring that his ideals remain relevant in contemporary discussions around faith and tradition. Despite not having a personal life detailed in the secular sense, his unwavering commitment to his beliefs speaks volumes about the influence one individual can exert—both during their lifetime and beyond.
