Vatican demands that Holocaust-denier repudiate his positions [Updated]

Besieged by angry response to the un-excommunication of four right-wing bishops, the Vatican demanded today for the first time that the Holocaust-denier Bishop Richard Williamson repudiate his “previous statements in ‘an absolutely, unequivocal and public manner.’”

The National Catholic Register reported:

In addition, said the statement from the Vatican Secretariat of State, Pope Benedict XVI did not know about the controversial statements by British-born Bishop Richard Williamson when he lifted the excommunication of him and three other traditionalist bishops ordained illicitly in 1988.

. . .

“The positions of Bishop Williamson on the Holocaust are absolutely unacceptable and are strongly rejected by the Holy Father,” the statement said.

U.S. Bishops and others are in effect getting the appropriately high standard for reconciliation that they have demanded.

Addendum

The Associated Press reported Wednesday afternoon that the requirement is not for Williamson alone:

In addition to its demand of Williamson, the Vatican said the society as a whole must fully recognize the teachings of Vatican II and all the popes who came during and after it in order to have a legitimate canonical function in the church.

Enforced, that should dispose of concerns that this reconciliation involves either acceptance of formerly rejected far-right ideologies into the church, or a sharp rightward shift by the church itself.

It was of overarching importance. “This was the sign the Jewish world has been waiting for,” said Ronald Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress.