Dutch Priest Criticizes Pope for Reinstating Holocaust Denying Priest, by Michael van der Galien, PoliGazette, February 2, 2009

The pope's decision to reinstate a bishop who denies that six million Jews were murdered during World War II is 'disastrous', says the bishop of Rotterdam Ad van Luyn.

Speaking on tv programme Kruispunt on Sunday night, the bishop said statements by Richard Williamson are 'scandalous, shocking and cynical'.

Pope Benedictus XV1 brought Williamson and three other arch conservative bishops back into the church at the beginning of this year.

Van Luyn, who is chairman of the Dutch bishops' conference, said he did not believe the pope was aware of Williamson's statements. 'Papal workers have not predicted the repercussions… and that is to be regretted,' he said…

The Volkskrant carries an interview with theologian Jean-Pierre Wils who teaches ethics at Nijmegen University and has left the Catholic church because of the rehabilitation of Williamson.

BishopAccountability.org

	Dutch Priest Criticizes Pope for Reinstating Holocaust Denying Priest By Michael van der Galien PoliGazette February 2, 2009 http://www.poligazette.com/2009/02/02/dutch-priest-criticizes-pope-for-reinstating-holocaust-denying-priest/ The pope's decision to reinstate a bishop who denies that six million Jews were murdered during World War II is 'disastrous', says the bishop of Rotterdam Ad van Luyn. Speaking on tv programme Kruispunt on Sunday night, the bishop said statements by Richard Williamson are 'scandalous, shocking and cynical'. Pope Benedictus XV1 brought Williamson and three other arch conservative bishops back into the church at the beginning of this year. Van Luyn, who is chairman of the Dutch bishops' conference, said he did not believe the pope was aware of Williamson's statements. 'Papal workers have not predicted the repercussions… and that is to be regretted,' he said… The Volkskrant carries an interview with theologian Jean-Pierre Wils who teaches ethics at Nijmegen University and has left the Catholic church because of the rehabilitation of Williamson. Wils says that despite claims to the contrary from Pope Benedict, who was a Hitler Youth during and before the second World War, he and the Church know exactly who they're dealing with. Whatever the case, Pope Benedict proves himself to be less than politically correct, even insensitive. The Church has wrongfully or rightfully been criticized for its conduct during the World War. Add to that Benedict's own past as a member of the Hitler Youth, and it quickly becomes clear that he should've done everything in his power to isolate the holocaust denying priest.

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