Bernard Tissier de Mallerais

Summary

Bernard Tissier de Mallerais FSSPX (French pronunciation: [bɛɾnaɾ tisje maləɾe]; born 14 September 1945) is a French traditionalist Catholic prelate, serving as a bishop of the Society of Saint Pius X.


Bernard Tissier de Mallerais

Bishop of the Society of Saint Pius X
Bishop Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, c. 2019
Orders
Ordination29 June 1975
by Marcel Lefebvre
Consecration30 June 1988
by Marcel Lefebvre
Personal details
Born (1945-09-14) 14 September 1945 (age 78)
NationalityFrench
DenominationRoman Catholic
Previous post(s)
Alma materThe International Seminary of Saint Pius X
MottoPax Christi Regis
(Peace of Christ the King)
SignatureImage: 200 pixels
Coat of armsBernard Tissier de Mallerais's coat of arms
Ordination history of
Bernard Tissier de Mallerais
History
Priestly ordination
Ordained byMarcel Lefebvre
Date29 June 1975
PlaceThe International Seminary of Saint Pius X, Écône, Switzerland
Episcopal consecration
Principal consecratorMarcel Lefebvre
Co-consecratorsAntônio de Castro Mayer
Date30 June 1988
PlaceThe International Seminary of Saint Pius X, Écône, Switzerland
Episcopal succession
Bishops consecrated by Bernard Tissier de Mallerais as principal consecrator
Licínio RangelJuly 28, 1991
Styles of
Bernard Tissier de Mallerais
Reference styleHis Lordship/His Excellency, The Right Reverend/The Most Reverend
Spoken styleMy Lord (Bishop)/Your Excellency
Religious styleBishop

Early life and ministry edit

Tissier de Mallerais was born in Sallanches, Haute-Savoie, France, on 14 September 1945. After obtaining a master's degree in biology, he entered the International Seminary of Saint Pius X at Fribourg in October 1969. On 29 June 1975, he was ordained priest by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre at Écône. He served first as a professor, then as vice-rector, and finally as rector of the seminary at Écône. In 1979, he was appointed Rector of the Seminary where he remained until 1983. For a year, he served as Chaplain at the Novitiate of the Sisters of the Society of St Pius X, until in 1984, he was elected to the post of Secretary General of the Society which he held until 1996.[1]

Consecration and aftermath edit

In June 1988, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, who sensed that he was approaching the hour of his death, consecrated de Mallerais and three other priests (Bernard Fellay, Richard Williamson, and Alfonso de Galarreta) as bishops. Lefebvre did not have a pontifical mandate for these consecrations, which was promised in exhausting negotiations, but always postponed or subjected to destabilizing conditions. On 1 July 1988 Cardinal Gantin issued a declaration stating that Lefebvre, de Castro Mayer, de Mallerais, and the three other newly ordained bishops "have incurred ipso facto the excommunication latae sententiae reserved to the Apostolic See."

The validity of the excommunications is disputed by the SSPX. It argues that the consecrations were necessary due to a moral and theological crisis in the Catholic Church.[2][3][4] Bishop de Mallerais argues of the validity and necessity of these consecrations in his article "Supplied Jurisdiction & Traditional Priests," stating: "in an exceptional situation the Church supplies for this absence of jurisdiction on the part of the priest or even the bishop," and "it is the case of necessity amongst the faithful which is responsible for the fact that traditional priests and bishops have a supplied jurisdiction with respect to your needs."[5]

By a decree of 21 January 2009 (Protocol Number 126/2009), issued in response to a request which Bishop Fellay made on behalf of all four bishops whom Lefebvre had consecrated on 30 June 1988, the Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, by the power expressly granted to him by Pope Benedict XVI, remitted the alleged automatic excommunication which they had thereby incurred, and expressed the wish that this would be followed speedily by full communion of the whole of the Society of Saint Pius X with the Church, thus bearing witness, by the proof of visible unity, to true loyalty and true recognition of the Pope's Magisterium and authority.[6]

SSPX bishop edit

 
de Mallerais at a confirmation in 2008

In 1991, Tissier de Mallerais consecrated Licínio Rangel as bishop for the Priestly Society of St John Mary Vianney after the death of its founder, bishop Antônio de Castro Mayer. The consecration of Licínio Rangel held profound significance for the Priestly Society of St John Mary Vianney, as it represented the continuation and preservation of the spiritual legacy and mission established by Bishop Antônio de Castro Mayer.

As an auxiliary bishop, Bishop Tissier de Mallerais undertakes extensive pastoral duties, including the administration of the sacraments, particularly the sacrament of confirmation. He has traveled extensively throughout the world, visiting SSPX chapels and communities, and providing spiritual guidance and support to the faithful.

He has played a crucial role within the SSPX in ensuring the continuation of the traditional Catholic priesthood. He has been actively involved in the formation and ordination of priests, imparting his wisdom and knowledge to the next generation of clergy who are dedicated to serving the Church in the traditional manner.

Bibliography edit

Author edit

  • Marcel Lefebvre: The Biography
  • Faith Imperiled by Reason: Benedict XVI's Hermeneutics
  • The Rest of the Story: A Summary of the Life and Times of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre

References edit

  1. ^ "TOWER OF TRENT TRIBUTE (aug9ttt.htm)". www.dailycatholic.org. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  2. ^ SSPX FAQ Question 11 Archived 2011-04-12 at the Wayback Machine (29 June 1987). SSPX.org. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  3. ^ The 1988 consecrations: a theological study Archived 2011-08-07 at the Wayback Machine (July & September 1999). Sì sì no no via SSPX.org. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  4. ^ The 1988 consecrations: a canonical study Archived 2011-08-07 at the Wayback Machine (November 1999). Sì sì no no via SSPX.org. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  5. ^ Supplied Jurisdiction & Traditional Priests
  6. ^ "Remissione Della Scomunica Latae Sententiae Ai Vescovi Della Fratertinà Sacerdotale San Pio X, 24.01.2009". Archived from the original on 2009-02-01. Retrieved 2009-01-24.

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