Marcel Lefebvre

Marcel François Marie Joseph Lefebvre (29 November 1905 – 25 March 1991) was a French Catholic prelate who served as Archbishop of Dakar from 1955 to 1962. He was a major influence in modern traditionalist Catholicism, founding in 1970 the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) to train traditionalist seminarians. In 1988, Pope John Paul II declared that Lefebvre had been automatically excommunicated for consecrating four bishops that year without permission and despite the pope's express prohibition.

Lefebvre was born in Tourcoing. Ordained a diocesan priest in 1929, Lefebvre joined the Holy Ghost Fathers for missionary work and was assigned to teach at a seminary in Gabon in 1932. In 1947, he was appointed Vicar Apostolic of Dakar, and the next year as the apostolic nuncio to French West Africa. Upon his return to Europe, Lefebvre was elected superior general of the Holy Ghost Fathers and assigned to draft and prepare documents for the Second Vatican Council. He was a major leader of the conservative bloc during its proceedings. He later took the lead in opposing certain changes associated with the council. He refused to implement council-inspired reforms demanded by the Holy Ghost Fathers and resigned from the order in 1968.