Michael Davies' monumental Apologia Pro Marcel Lefebvre defends the Archbishop and his battle for the Faith during the crucial battles of the 1970's and early 1980's. This three volume work is full of documentation and poignant analysis.
Regarding Michael Davies, Cardinal Ratzinger once said: "I had the good fortune to meet him several times and I found him as a man of deep faith and ready to embrace suffering. Ever since the Council he put all his energy into the service of the Faith and left us important publications especially about the Sacred Liturgy. Even though he suffered from the Church in many ways in his time, he always truly remained a man of the Church." (Nov. 9th, 2004, personal message to Michael's family upon hearing of his passing)
Regarding Archbishop Lefebvre, Michael Davies once said:
It is thanks to Archbishop Lefebvre more than any other individual that the Mass is now being celebrated throughout the world. Four hundred fifty priests in the SSPX alone. Without the Archbishop, there would be no Indult Masses, no Fraternity of St. Peter, no monastery at Le Barroux. One might hope that all those who now assist at the Tridentine Mass each Sunday outside the auspices of the SSPX would appreciate that they owe this inestimable privilege to Monsignor Lefebvre. In my opinion, the Archbishop is a saint and will emerge with more credit than any other prelate when the history of these troubled times is written.
The animosity shown to Archbishop Lefebvre by bishops throughout the world was inspired by the same reason that inspired the animosity of English bishops towards St. John Fisher. Those who have betrayed the fort cannot possibly forgive the one man who has refused to abandon his post. Archbishop Lefebvre was a living reproach to the cowardly compromising prelates, who, like the Protestant hierarchy imposed by Elizabeth I, oversaw the destruction of anything recognizable as Catholicism. (First Annual Walter Matt Memorial Dinner, January, 2004)
Apologia Pro Marcel Lefebvre, Volume I
This book is certainly one of great historical value. Portrays the dramatic conflict relating to the grievances between Archbishop Lefebvre and the Vatican under Pope Paul VI. Depicts the role of one who had the foresight to recognize that he could not defend orthodoxy and at the same time accept reforms "themselves oriented towards the cult of man." Completely documented. 461pp, softcover.
Apologia Pro Marcel Lefebvre, Volume II
This volume covers the story of Archbishop Lefebvre's relations with the Vatican up to the end of 1979. The negotiations between the Archbishop and the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith form the principal feature of the book. 393pp, softcover.
Apologia Pro Marcel Lefebvre, Volume III
Covers 1979-1982, the beginning of the pontificate of John Paul II. Davies records many of the Holy Father's directives, how they were opposed by the Bishops, and why it was necessary for Archbishop Lefebvre and the SSPX to avoid all compromise in preserving Catholic Truth. Completes the series by considering Abp. Lefebvre within the broader perspective of the crisis in the Church. 468pp, softcover.
