The following is Archbishop Lefebvre's obituary by the Holy Ghost Fathers
Archbishop Lefebvre's death during Holy Week and after a discreet retreat did not make much of a media event. And that was for the best. But all French Spiritans were sufficiently marked by Archbishop Lefebvre for us to remember here in prayer what he was for us.
He entered the Congregation through the French Seminary in Rome, where he was studying for the diocese of Lille from 1923 to 1930. He did his novitiate as a priest. After his religious profession in 1932, he spent 12 years as a missionary in Gabon. He was director of the Mortain scholasticate in 1945. He was then appointed Vicar of Dakar and Apostolic Delegate for French Africa in 1947. Those of us who lived with him during his long missionary years bear witness to his dedication and his organisational spirit in his missionary service.
In the 1960s, Africa achieved independence and the Church entered a Council. We have witnessed the difficulty that Archbishop Lefebvre had in living through these events. He left Africa for the bishopric of Tulle in 1962, and that same year he was elected Superior General. We accepted his appointment as Superior General, even if not everyone wanted it.
Then came the positions he took at the Council and his directives on the style of formation in the scholasticates. In the Province of France especially, we had to put up with being questioned by many people about Archbishop Lefebvre's orientations, but the vast majority of us had to reconcile our Spiritan life with these obviously oriented directives. We are grateful to all those who helped us through those difficult years, without confusing Archbishop Lefebvre's personal positions with those of the Congregation.
Archbishop Lefebvre left the office of Superior General. Elected for 12 years in 1962, he announced on 27 May 1968 that he would resign from the Special Chapter, so that it could be elective. This he did. A question of procedure put him in a minority; he then left the Chapter and only returned very rarely. Father Lécuyer was elected Superior General. Archbishop Lefebvre withdrew from the life of the Congregation, as can religious who have become bishops. And we learned later that he was working on founding a seminary in Switzerland.
The history of Ecône is well known. Even though some confreres held their confrere in high esteem and sometimes in friendship, none of them wanted to take part in his work. Personal meetings and exchanges of letters were not lacking, especially at the major stages of this work: in 1976, suspended a divinis after the ordination of some priests; in 1988, ordination of bishops and declaration of the schism. Archbishop Lefebvre always responded to his friends with his usual benevolence, but unfortunately he remained just as firm in his approach to separation.
Let us bear witness to a recent exchange of letters between a confrere and him last November. Archbishop Lefebvre: "Your letter gives me great pleasure and I thank you for giving me news of you... I assure you that I do not regret what Providence suggested I do. The day after tomorrow, I'll be 85. I know very well that the end is approaching. I look forward to it with joy and peace, aware that I have only ever worked for the Reign of Our Lord during my 61 years as a priest." Response from the confrere: "Is it really necessary to remain at odds with the Holy Father? My Lord, you are alluding to what Providence has suggested you should do. Before entering into the infinite love of God, go and kiss John Paul II. It would be such a joy for me and so many others who love you so much." He didn't do it, but it's worth knowing that he was told that.
Archbishop Lefebvre was a generous Spiritan, an evangelical and active missionary, a Superior General concerned about the life of the Congregation. His personal, intellectual and ecclesial orientation, which led him to his separation from the Church, will always remain a mystery to us. We entrust him in prayer to the Father's merciful welcome.
