We are saddened to announce the passing of Bishop Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, who died on October 8, 2024, at the age of 79.

Bishop Bernard Tissier de Mallerais was a man whose life and work spanned a significant period of upheaval and transformation in the Catholic Church. Born into a France marked by the shifting tides of secularism and religious tradition, he found his vocation not only in the priesthood but also in the preservation of Catholic orthodoxy as he understood it.

Born on September 14, 1945, in Sallanches, France, Tissier de Mallerais came from a background that instilled in him a strong sense of intellectual curiosity. He initially pursued studies in biology, reflecting a scientific inclination. However, in his early twenties, he was drawn to the Catholic priesthood, enrolling in the SSPX’s nascent seminary in Fribourg in 1969. Here, he was deeply influenced by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, whose passionate advocacy for traditional Catholicism would shape Tissier de Mallerais’s life and theology​.

The SSPX was founded by Lefebvre in 1970 as a reaction to the sweeping changes brought about by the Second Vatican Council, particularly reforms related to the Mass and ecumenism. For Tissier de Mallerais, Lefebvre became a mentor who inspired his strong stance against what they saw as modernist tendencies infiltrating the Church. Under Lefebvre’s guidance, he developed a theological outlook that emphasized the importance of tradition, orthodoxy, and a strict interpretation of Catholic doctrine​.

Ordained in 1975, Tissier de Mallerais quickly took on prominent roles within the SSPX. He began as a professor at the Écône seminary, where he taught future priests and shared Lefebvre’s mission to preserve the Latin Mass. His dedication and intellectual rigor led to his appointment as rector, where he shaped the formation of many SSPX priests who would go on to serve in various parts of the world. This role allowed him to deepen his influence within the SSPX and reinforce its commitment to traditionalist values.

In 1988, at the peak of the SSPX’s conflict with the Vatican, Archbishop Lefebvre consecrated Tissier de Mallerais as one of four bishops without papal approval, a decision that resulted in automatic excommunication. This act was seen by Lefebvre and Tissier de Mallerais as necessary to ensure the continuation of traditionalist Catholicism, even if it meant breaking from the Vatican. The excommunication marked Tissier de Mallerais as a figure of defiance but also of deep conviction, as he remained unwavering in his belief that he was defending the true faith​.

As a bishop, Tissier de Mallerais traveled widely, offering confirmations and ordinations, particularly for those within the SSPX who resisted post-Vatican II changes. He became a familiar figure in traditionalist communities around the world, administering sacraments and offering pastoral guidance. His presence was a source of encouragement for those who felt alienated by the mainstream Church’s embrace of reform, and he played a critical role in sustaining the SSPX’s global reach​.

Bishop Tissier de Mallerais was also a prolific writer, perhaps best known for his biography of Archbishop Lefebvre. This work remains a cornerstone for those studying the SSPX and the traditionalist movement. In his writings, he consistently defended the Latin Mass and critiqued the reforms of Vatican II, which he viewed as diluting the faith. His theological contributions, while controversial, were rooted in a deep desire to preserve what he saw as the essence of Catholicism. His works continue to be read by traditionalists and serve as a reference point for those seeking to understand the SSPX’s position within the Church​.

With a profound understanding of both the early years of the SSPX and the broader Traditional Catholic movement, Bishop Bernard Tissier de Mallerais held a sincere appreciation for the Old Romans commitment to preserving the Traditional Latin Mass. He recognized the essential role these communities played, especially in the United States, where Old Roman chapels often served as early Mass centers for the SSPX. During a memorable encounter with Bishop Kelly of the Old Roman apostolate at a Chicago dinner party hosted by a mutual friend, Bishop Tissier de Mallerais warmly acknowledged their work. Upon their introduction, he graciously expressed his gratitude, saying, “Thank you, thank you, thank you, for keeping the old Mass alive until we came!”

In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI lifted the excommunications of the four SSPX bishops, signaling a willingness on the part of the Vatican to engage in dialogue with the SSPX. However, Tissier de Mallerais remained skeptical of the Vatican’s intentions, often criticizing what he perceived as ongoing modernist influences. He maintained his strong stance against certain aspects of the Church’s direction, asserting that true reconciliation could only occur if the Vatican renounced many of the reforms that he and the SSPX opposed​.

Bishop Tissier de Mallerais’s legacy is deeply intertwined with that of the SSPX and the broader traditionalist Catholic movement. He was a figure who inspired both admiration and controversy, depending on one’s perspective on Vatican II and the Church’s modern trajectory. His death leaves a void within the SSPX, as he was one of its most vocal and visible leaders. The SSPX, now with two of the original four bishops remaining, faces a new era without one of its most ardent defenders of tradition.

Following a fall in September 2024 that led to a skull fracture and internal injuries, Bishop Tissier de Mallerais was placed in a coma and ultimately passed away on October 8, 2024. His passing was met with sorrow from SSPX members and traditionalist Catholics who viewed him as a stalwart of the faith. Various SSPX communities around the world have organized memorial Masses and prayer vigils, honoring his contributions to their religious lives and commitment to what they see as the unchanging truths of Catholicism​.

The SSPX, along with the traditionalist Catholic community, continues to reflect on Bishop Tissier de Mallerais’s legacy and the impact he had on their faith. As they mourn his passing, his writings and teachings remain influential, providing guidance and inspiration for those who uphold traditionalist values within the Church.

Please join us in offering prayers for the repose of his soul and for the Society he so fervently served. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at the St. Pius X Seminary, Ecône, Switzerland, on Friday 18 October at 9:30 am, followed by burial in the seminary vault.