Marcel Lefebvre (1905–1991)

A hard book for an American Catholic to read, but invaluable to understanding the teaching of the Church prior to Vatican II as well as the criticisms of Vatican II from one of the participants at the Council itself. Bishop Lefebvre's views are - with time - being shown to have been quite prophetic and correct.

This book is recommended for all that would like understand - from a philosophical, theological, and ecclesiastical basis, why Bishop Lefebvre did what I thought he had to do. i.e. show more found the seminary in Switzerland and SSPX. Very informative and thought - as will as spirit - provoking. show less

A small, but very important book - whether you agree with Archbishop Lefebvre or not - for understanding the concerns that were expressed about Vatican II during the Council itself. Highly recommended as a primary source for anybody interested in understanding that Council.

I will write a real review soon but it was a good book. It's sad that it had to be written, but it is what is.

Update ---------------------------------------------------

An Open Letter to Confused Catholics was written by Archbishop Lefebvre, the founder of SSPX, in 1968. Whether you like or dislike the SSPX, it would behoove people to read this book if you wonder why churches are nearly empty and most of your family have fallen from the faith.

It is primarily a defense against Modernism which show more has been around for over 100 years and yet some of his statements are eerily prescient...

In Mexico the ordinary people drove from the churches the reforming clergy who, won over by the so-called liberation theology, wanted to throw out the statues of the saints. "It’s not the statues who are going, it’s you." Political circumstances have prevented us from opening a priory in Mexico; so faithful priests travel out from a center at El Paso near the frontier in the United States. The descendants of the Cristeros welcome them warmly and offer them their churches. I have administered 2500 confirmations there at the request of the people.

On the subject, authority is contested at its very source by those who declare, "Parents are not the owners of their children," by which they mean that their education reverts to the State with its schools, its day nurseries and its kindergarten schools. They reproach parents with failing to respect the "freedom of conscience" of their children when they bring them up in accordance with their own religious convictions.

The frequent and necessary concessions made to the spirit of the world did not produce the expected results. Nobody any longer wanted to be a priest of the new religion and the faithful turned away from their religious practice. The Church which tried to become a Church of the poor became a poor Church, obliged to resort to advertising to collect Peter’s Pence [the Pope's charitable organization]

The book gives you much to think about. show less

I will write a real review soon but it was a good book. It's sad that it had to be written, but it is what is.

Update ---------------------------------------------------

An Open Letter to Confused Catholics was written by Archbishop Lefebvre, the founder of SSPX, in 1968. Whether you like or dislike the SSPX, it would behoove people to read this book if you wonder why churches are nearly empty and most of your family have fallen from the faith.

It is primarily a defense against Modernism which show more has been around for over 100 years and yet some of his statements are eerily prescient...

In Mexico the ordinary people drove from the churches the reforming clergy who, won over by the so-called liberation theology, wanted to throw out the statues of the saints. "It’s not the statues who are going, it’s you." Political circumstances have prevented us from opening a priory in Mexico; so faithful priests travel out from a center at El Paso near the frontier in the United States. The descendants of the Cristeros welcome them warmly and offer them their churches. I have administered 2500 confirmations there at the request of the people.

On the subject, authority is contested at its very source by those who declare, "Parents are not the owners of their children," by which they mean that their education reverts to the State with its schools, its day nurseries and its kindergarten schools. They reproach parents with failing to respect the "freedom of conscience" of their children when they bring them up in accordance with their own religious convictions.

The frequent and necessary concessions made to the spirit of the world did not produce the expected results. Nobody any longer wanted to be a priest of the new religion and the faithful turned away from their religious practice. The Church which tried to become a Church of the poor became a poor Church, obliged to resort to advertising to collect Peter’s Pence [the Pope's charitable organization]

The book gives you much to think about. show less