Head of SSPX Refuses to Condemn Bishop Williamson for Holocaust Denial, Damian Thompson, Telegraph, January 23, 2009

Head of SSPX "Refuses to Condemn Bishop Williamson for Holocaust Denial"

By Damian Thompson
Telegraph
January 23, 2009

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/damian_thompson/blog/2009/01/23/head_of_sspx_refuses_to_condemn_bishop_williamson_for_holocaust_denial

Damian Thompson

[the letter]

A letter has appeared on the internet attributed to Bishop Bernard Fellay, head of the Lefebvrist Society of St Pius X. In it, the bishop (or someone pretending to be him) pointedly fails to criticise his fellow SSPX bishop, Richard Williamson, for denying the existence of Nazi gas chambers in a television interview.

Instead, the letter attacks the "vile" behaviour of the Swedish TV company for daring to ask Williamson "secular" questions. "Although it had been understood that the interview would deal with religious issues only, the reporter asked the bishop's opinion concerning historical matters ... It is shameful to use an interview on religious matters to introduce secular and controversial issues with the obvious intention of misrepresenting and maligning the activity of our religious Society. Such [a] vile attempt will not reach its goal."

I find it simply incredible that Bishop Fellay would refuse to comment on Bishop Williamson's claim that there were no Nazi gas chambers; you can see the TV interview here.

If this letter is genuine, then Fellay is turning a blind eye to the wicked madness of one of his bishops; if it is a fake, he must say so immediately.

I know that the issue of lifting excommunications is separate from an individual's historical opinions, however nasty. But Catholics and public opinion throughout the world will be appalled if the Pope does not address this matter before any action is taken. I do not wish to belong to the same Church as Williamson - or, if the letter is authentic, Fellay.