Recently on NZ Conservative, there has been a conversation on Mr Tips' post on Obama and abortion that went into a previously excommunicated person's views on the Holocaust. This person is considered a bishop in a schismatic society, and came into the news because his excommunication of a number of years ago for defying the Pope and being consecrated bishop without permission has been lifted by Pope Benedict XVI in recent days.
Please do no use this post as a way of re-arguing the same points made in the comments of the previous post.
I put up the statement by the head of the schismatic society to show that the controversial opinions of one man do not represent the society in general, and that would be very much worth taking notice of.
The words in red are comments by Fr. Z.
Please do no use this post as a way of re-arguing the same points made in the comments of the previous post.
I put up the statement by the head of the schismatic society to show that the controversial opinions of one man do not represent the society in general, and that would be very much worth taking notice of.
The words in red are comments by Fr. Z.
Statement of His Excellency Bernard Fellay, Superior of the Fraternity of St. Pius XRelated Link: Statement by SSPX Superior about Bp. Williamson’s opinions on Jews in WWII ~ WDTPRS, Fr Z
We have become aware of an interview released by Bishop Richard Williamson, a member of our Fraternity of St. Pius X, to Swedish television. In this interview, he expressed himself on historical questions, [not doctrinal] and in particular on the question of the genocide against the Jews carried out by the Nazis.
It’s clear that a Catholic bishop cannot speak with ecclesiastical authority except on questions that regard faith and morals. [even one who is in good standing can’t…] Our Fraternity does not claim any authority on other matters. [The Fraternity doesn’t have any authority apart from Rome.] Its mission is the propagation and restoration of authentic Catholic doctrine, expressed in the dogmas of the faith. It’s for this reason that we are known, accepted [well…] and respected in the entire world.
It’s with great sadness that we recognize the extent to which the violation of this mandate has done damage to our mission. [Fair enough. And the phrase "great sadness" is welcome.] The affirmations of Bishop Williamson do not reflect in any sense the position of our Fraternity. For this reason I have prohibited him, pending any new orders, from taking any public positions on political or historical questions. [Finally.]
We ask the forgiveness of the Supreme Pontiff, and of all people of good will, [a phrase I have been using constantly these last days…] for the dramatic consequences of this act. Because we recognize how ill-advised these declarations were, we can only look with sadness at the way in which they have directly struck our Fraternity, discrediting its mission.
This is something we cannot accept, and we declare that we will continue to preach Catholic doctrine and to administer the sacraments [without permission of the Holy See] of grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Menzingen, January 27, 2009
Hell, forget his views on the Holocaust - his views on trousers alone qualify him as a grade A nut job.
ReplyDeleteThis Bishop Williamson guy is a radical looney-tune.
ReplyDeleteAn unabashed anti-Semite, on record as calling Jews “the enemies of Christ”.
Included in the Bishops long-line of offensive plonkers, is the ascertain 9/11 was an inside job, CIA killed Kennedy.
Reinstating someone is hardly admonishment and no amount of 'weasel-words' from The Vatican change his views.
I know the Catholic Church is struggling to get clergy these-days, but this is getting embarrassing guys.
See ya.
Paul
Not much good will going around then,
ReplyDeleteIt is good that the schismatic society in question disowns Williamson. But, for goodness' sake, how did he ever get to enjoy a leadership position in said society, when he has such a long record of not only endorsing rhetorically but working practically with neo-Nazis?
ReplyDeleteThis is a man who has been denying the Holocaust for decades, who allied himself with the neo-Nazis who carried out the Oklahoma bombing in 1995, who was working closely with Nick Griffin, now the leader of the British National Party, to create the neo-Nazi Third Position movement back in the 1990s, and who blamed 9/11 on the Jews.
It's hard to see how the religious society in question can have tolerated such a man as Bishop for so long, unless it was at the very least indifferent to his ideas and activities. Perhaps Lucyna can explain, though.
I don't have that level of insight, Maps.
ReplyDeleteI read this remark in the comments box of another blog, and it really just sums up my attitude to the Williamson question:
ReplyDelete'Here are some questions for the papal defenders: As a condition for his readmission to the Church, Williamson has agreed to abide by Church teachings. Does this not include John Paul II’s teaching that antisemitism is a sin? Are there other sins which would have prevented his readmission? If so, does this mean antisemitism is a minor sin?'
Simple questions, but it seems nobody at the Vatican wants to answer them.
Maps,
ReplyDeleteThe questions are not relevant at this point because the lifting of the excommunication does NOT mean readmittance to the Church.
Vatican daily clarifies scope and limits of lifting of Lefebvrists’ excommunication