Penal Law of the Church PL 8. The excommunication of Mgr Lefebvre

1. The birth of the Society of St. Pius XX 1970 Erection of the Society ad experimentum as a pious union for six years by the bishop of Lausanne, Geneva and Fribourg. Seminary established at Ecône in Switzerland with the permission of the bishop of Sion 1975 Status withdrawn by Bishop Mamie of Lausanne, Geneva and Fribourg Archbishop Lefebvre refuses to recognise the Society’s dissolution and continues to ordain seminarians regardless of tensions with the Holy See. Censures (sospension).

2.1 The clash of 1988 The Society and its history show publicly this need to remain faithful to God and to the Church. The years 1974, 1975, 1976 leave us with the memory of this incredible clash between Econe and the Vatican, between the Pope and myself. The result was the condemnation, the “suspension a divinis,” wholly in null and void because the Pope was tyrannically abusing his authority in order to defend laws contrary to the good of the Church and to the good of souls. These events are a historical application of the principles concerning the duty to disobey. Mgr Lefebvre, Statement of March 29, 1988

2.2 The clash of Archbishop Lefebvre consecrates four members of the Society to the episcopate

2.3 The clash of 1988 DECREE OF EXCOMMUNICATION Monsignor Marcel Lefebvre, Archbishop-Bishop Emeritus of Tulle, notwithstanding the formal canonical warning of 17 June last and the repeated appeals to desist from his intention, has performed a schismatical act by the episcopal consecration of four priests, without pontifical mandate and contrary to the will of the Supreme Pontiff, and has therefore incurred the penalty envisaged by Canon 1364, paragraph 1, and canon 1382 of the Code of Canon Law. Having taken account of all the juridical effects, I declare that the above- mentioned Monsignor Marcel Lefebvre, and Bernard Pellay, Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, Richard Williamson and Alfonso de Galarreta have incurred excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See. Moreover, I declare that Monsignor Antonio de Castro Mayer, Bishop emeritus of Campos, since he took part directly in the liturgical celebration as co-consecrator and adhered publicly to the schismatical act, has incurred excommunication as envisaged by canon 1364, paragraph 1. The priests and faithful are warned not to support the schism of Monsignor Lefebvre, otherwise they shall incur the very grave penalty of excommunication. From the Office of the Congregation for Bishops, 1 July Bernardinus Card. Gantin Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops

3.1 Towards reconciliation a) under John Paul II 1988 John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter Ecclesia Dei establishes the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, creating a framework for those who distance from the Society reconciliation with the community of Campos, Brazil, constituted in the Personal Apostolic Administration of St. John Mary Vianney

3.2 Towards reconciliation b) Under Benedict XVI 2007 Benedict XVI, Apostolic Letter Summorum Pontificum, allowing for use of 1962 liturgical books 2009 Congregation for Bishops, Decree Remitting the Excommunication Latae Sententiae of the Bishops of the Society of St. Pius X Negotiations