Pope Benedict XVI apologized for the church’s actions in the Bishop Williamson affair, stating the Vatican’s failure to investigate prior to acting was a most unfortunate reality that resulted in increased tensions between the Vatican and Jews.
The pope’s letter to Catholic bishops that was publicized earlier in the week was intended to bring the crisis to an end, a crisis that developed over not the pope’s failure to realize Williamson’s background revealed his Holocaust denial background.
The pope also referred to comments released in 2006 which resulted in a storm in the international Islamic community.
The crisis began when the excommunication of ultra-conservative bishops was lifted, including Bishop Richard Williamson, who is known for his denial of the Holocaust. In a TV interview, Williamson estimated 200,000-300,000 Jews were murdered in the Holocaust, not 6 million, adding even those killed were not gassed.
Benedict stressed he remains firm in his friendship with Israel and the Jewish People, expressing regret for his recent actions.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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4 Responses
Yes, it was the “Vatican’s” failure to investigate. It was also the “Vatican’s” failure to investigate the tragic, rampant abuse to their own youngsters. Who is this “Vatican” who neglects critical concerns?
veryinteresting – “This Vatican” if nothing else is a absolutely huge bureacracy that makes the same kind of stupid bumbling mistakes that our government leaders do, Democrats and Republicans alike, in failing to properly vett people. At least here they admitted the error and did not dig in and “stand by” their man.
To #1: I wish I could say that no abuse takes place in the Frum community or that, when it does, no one tries to cover up for the perpetrator. Anyone whose head has not been in the sand knows that neither statement would be true.
I don’t see what he’s actually apologising for. Had he known about Williamson’s kooky historical views, would he not have taken him out of cherem? Why? Since when is being a nutcase and a liar grounds for excommunicating someone, or for keeping them there once the original reason why they were there has gone away?