what were perceived as leftists in the Church. De Castro Mayer lent encouragement to the campaign. The National Conference of Bishops of Brazil later declared that TFP was neither recognized by the hierarchy nor considered an official Catholic organization. De Castro Mayer, a staunch traditionalist, refused to implement the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council in his diocese. Until his resignation on 29 August 1981, the Tridentine Mass continued to be celebrated throughout the Campos diocese, along with all the other traditional Catholic practices and devotions in Latin. Having submitted his resignation as required upon turning 75, he was replaced as bishop with the appointment of to succeed him on 29 August 1981. He continued his campaign against the Council's liturgical reforms in retirement and maintained a traditionalist "diocese" within the Campos diocese, with around 40,000 faithful, which he organized in parallel chapels. The total Catholic population of the diocese was 890,000. On 30 June 1988, he attended the ceremony at which Archbishop Lefebvre consecrated four bishops without papal authorization despite warnings that these consecrations would result in the automatic excommunication of Lefebvre and the four. Communications from Pope John Paul II and curial officials, both before and after the ceremony, did not mention de Castro or note his role. Though often described as a "co-consecrator" of these bishops, the SSPX says he was "found at Archbishop Lefebvre's side" and refers to his "crucial presence", but does not describe him participating in the ceremony of consecration. One Vatican statement described him as a co-consecrator and excommunicated, but others, including Pope John Paul's letter on the consecrations omitted his name. He died of respiratory failure in Campos on 25 April 1991. Notes References 1904 births 1991 deaths 20th-century Roman Catholic bishops in Brazil Brazilian people of German descent Brazilian traditionalist Catholics Coetus Internationalis Patrum Deaths from respiratory failure Écône consecrations Participants in the Second Vatican Council People from Campinas Personal Apostolic Administration of Saint John Mary Vianney Pontifical Gregorian University alumni Traditionalist Catholic bishops Brazilian anti-communists Roman Catholic bishops of Campos