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Author Topic: The Original Four  (Read 3952 times)

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Offline ThatBritPapist

The Original Four
« on: April 13, 2025, 02:24:36 AM »
While re-reading through the Letter exchange between Archbishop Lefebvre and JP2 and Cardinal Ratzinger in the book Archbishop Lefebvre and the Vatican, I came across the section discussing the letter he sent to Rome listing the original four nominees for episcopal consecration. (May 3rd 1988 Exchange between Ratzinger and +ABL)

Letter of Archbishop Lefebvre to Cardinal Ratzinger

(This letter is confidential and will not be published.)

In this letter Archbishop Lefebvre proposed four names to Rome for its choice of one bishop. Of these four names, two were consecrated on June 30, 1988. The two others remained the secret of Archbishop Lefebvre.



 I’ve heard that the original two nominees were Bishop Tissier de Mallerais and Bishop Williamson. However, Bishop de Galarreta and Bishop Fellay, who were also consecrated, apparently weren’t part of that original pair.

Does anyone happen to know who the original four names submitted to Rome were? And any details on why only two were mentioned more prominently at first?

Another thing I read was Fr Black was originally meant to be the English speaking Bishop, but I know that holds no authority.


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Offline Plenus Venter

Re: The Original Four
« Reply #1 on: April 13, 2025, 04:59:21 AM »
We were told at the time of Bishop Faure's consecration in 2015 that he was one of the original THREE candidates chosen by Archbishop Lefebvre.

The then Fr Faure declined and suggested Fr de Galarreta in his stead.

The other two were Frs Williamson and Tissier de Mallerais.

A delegation of Swiss faithful approached the Archbishop and asked for a Swiss bishop, given that they had played so important a role in the establishment of the Society. That is when Fr Fellay joined the party.

So I guess the original four submitted to Rome were: Frs Richard Williamson, Tissier de Mallerais, Jean-Michel Faure, and another unknown.

It has been said emphatically that when only one bishop was being permitted by Rome, the initial choice of the Archbishop was Fr Richard Williamson. Perhaps that was in the biography written by Dr White. I've never heard anything about Fr Black being in the mix, certainly not as 'the English speaking bishop', that would contrary to what is generally held that Bishop Williamson was always the Archbishop's first choice.

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Offline Seraphina

Re: The Original Four
« Reply #2 on: April 13, 2025, 05:00:48 AM »
Bp. Faure, if I’m not mistaken, but he declined the offer at the time. Info. source, Bp. Williamson (RIP)
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Offline VerdenFell

Re: The Original Four
« Reply #3 on: April 13, 2025, 05:18:10 AM »
Why did the Four ask that their excommunication be lifted if they thought the pope wasn't even
holding the faith but a new religion altogether?
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Offline ThatBritPapist

Re: The Original Four
« Reply #4 on: April 13, 2025, 07:28:28 AM »
Quote from: Plenus Venter on April 13, 2025, 04:59:21 AM

The then Fr Faure declined and suggested Fr de Galarreta in his stead.
That would make sense as Fr Faure was at the time the District Superior of Mexico.
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