In Defense of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre

True Protector of Tradition

It is truly frustrating when I read unfair attacks against Archbishop Lefebvre which come from all spectrums of what may be considered traditional Catholicism, apart from the SSPX.

What makes these criticisms of the Archbishop so unjust is that without him we would not have even a fraction of the traditional Catholic parishes, chapels, and priests that we enjoy today.

It doesn’t matter what faction you belong to - SSPX, FSSP, ICKSP, or Sedevacantist - you would not have a traditional priesthood today had not Archbishop Lefebvre answered the call of seminarians back in the late 60’s and early 70’s and started what would eventually become the Society of St. Pius X.

This doesn’t mean that the Archbishop was a perfect man or that his Society did all the right things. He was human and prone to the same faults and defects as the rest of us, but he did what no one else was willing to do at the time and for that we should all be eternally grateful.

How many other Bishops stood up and denounced what was going on after Vatican II? How many of them opened seminaries, ordained priests, and bishops in the traditional rites? Almost no one.

And while we should avoid putting the Archbishop on such a high pedestal as to make him out to be perfect (for there is only one human being who was ever completely perfect of His own will), we should still give him his due and just respect.

The Sedevacantist will try to put Archbishop Thuc on the same level as Archbishop Lefebvre, and here I must say I have no idea whether his consecrations were valid or not, but there is no comparison. No one validly consecrated more traditional Bishops or Priests than Archbishop Lefebvre or had as wide-ranging influence over all of traditional Catholicism.

Regardless of what you think of his beliefs on the validity of the post-Vatican II popes, or whether you think he compromised too much, or that his society went too far in their compromises, one thing is certain, without Archbishop Lefebvre and the excellent work he did, often all by himself, we would not have as much access to traditional Catholic teaching, beliefs, and worship that we do today in his absence.

So, before you go defaming this good man ask yourself who has done more to defend and keep the traditional faith and bring it to more people?

May God bless the soul of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. And may he one day be recognized as a true Catholic Saint.

Yours in Jesus and Mary.