Bernard Tissier de Mallerais

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]

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]

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.

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