Xavier Léon-Dufour

Life & Legacy

Xavier Léon-Dufour (Paris, 7 March 1912–13 November 2007) was a French Jesuit biblical scholar and theologian. He was professor of the Bible at the centre Sèvres and director of collections at éditions du Seuil and éditions du Cerf.
Xavier Léon-Dufour made the choice to become a priest at the age of 17. While a priest, he worked with the resistance in the Southwest network during World War II.
In the years 1948-1957 he was a lecturer of the Holy Bible in the Jesuit theological faculty of Enghien in Belgium. From there, he moved to Lyon-Fourvière. He was a consultor of the Pontifical Biblical Commission in Rome and a member of the New Testament study society - Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas. He published in theological magazines: "Recherches de Science Religieuse" and "New Testament Studies".
He is best known for his 'Vocabulary of Biblical Theology'. This work, published in 1962, remains, fifty years later, a reference book for students in theology. He also did important work on the synoptic gospels and on the gospel according to John. He took part in the doctrinal controversies that followed the Second Vatican Council.
He was president of the Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas in 1980.