Cardinal Bernard Panafieu, Archbishop emeritus of Marseilles, was born on 26 January 1931 in Châtellerault, France. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Albi on 22 April 1956.

Cardinal Panafieu served as vicar at Saint-Sauveur di Mazamet, and as chaplain of La Pérouse School, Albi, and of the university parish. He was also chaplain of students in Tolosa, parish dean of Brassac and general secretary of the Presbyteral Council of Albi.

He was elected titular Bishop of Thibilis and Auxiliary Bishop of Annecy on 18 April 1974, receiving episcopal ordination on 9 June. 

On 30 November 1978 he was transferred to Aix-en-Provence. 

He was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Marseilles with the right of succession on 24 August 1994, and became Archbishop on 22 April 1995.

Cardinal Panafieu has served as President of the Episcopal Committee for Inter-religious Relations and New Religious Trends, President of the Secretariat for Religious Relations with Islam and a member of the Episcopal Commission for the Universal Mission of the Church.

Archbishop emeritus of Marseilles, 12 May 2006.

He participated in the conclave of April 2005, which elected Pope Benedict XVI.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by St. John Paul II in the consistory of 21 October 2003, of the Title of San Gregorio Barbarigo alle Tre Fontane (St. Gregory Barbarigo at Tre Fontane).

Died on 12 November 2017.