Holocaust-denier Williamson fired

Holocaust-denying Bishop Richard Williamson has been dismissed as director of its seminary in La Reja, near Buenos Aires, by the ultraconservative Society of St. Pius X (SSPX), and his controversial views repudiated by them.

After announcing the dismissal yesterday, Father Christian Bouchacourt, the head of the Latin American chapter of SSPX, said, “Monsignor Williamson’s statements do not in any way reflect the position of our congregation.”

Ordered by the Vatican to recant his Holocaust denial, Williamson last week told Germany’s Spiegel magazine he must first review historical evidence before considering an apology. That provoked a firestorm of criticism which included a call by German bishops to re-excommunicate Williamson, but not the other three other SSPX bishops from whom the pope lifted excommunication last month.

Williamson’s dismissal was apparently orchestrated as part of Vatican efforts to quiet controversy over lifting of the four excommunications, and to restore sundered relationships.