Image: logo from Williamson's blog, Dinoscopus
Richard Williamson of the SSPX has posted on his blog the text of a letter of "apology" which he sent to Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos who serves as a liaison between the Vatican and the SSPX. Included below is the introductory paragraph posted above the letter on Williamson's blog:
Following in the steps of Our Lord (Jn. XVIII, 23) and St. Paul (Acts, XXIII, 5), (SSPX founder) Archbishop Lefebvre gave his Society the example of never so cleaving to God's Truth as to abandon respect for the men holding God's Authority. In the midst of last week's media uproar, surely aimed rather at the Holy Father than at a relatively insignificant bishop, here is a letter written to Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos on January 28 by that bishop:
To His Eminence Cardinal Castrillón HoyosI searched the letter for a paragraph, even a sentence, in which Williamson retracted his inane views on the Shoah; I looked for an ellipsis indicating the place where such a retraction might have been edited: all to no avail. In my opinion, this letter exacerbates rather than heals the wound Williamson has inflicted.
Your Eminence
Amidst this tremendous media storm stirred up by imprudent remarks of mine on Swedish television, I beg of you to accept, only as is properly respectful, my sincere regrets for having caused to yourself and to the Holy Father so much unnecessary distress and problems.
For me, all that matters is the Truth Incarnate, and the interests of His one true Church, through which alone we can save our souls and give eternal glory, in our little way, to Almighty God. So I have only one comment, from the prophet Jonas, I, 12:
"Take me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you; for I know it is because of me that this great tempest has come upon you."
Please also accept, and convey to the Holy Father, my sincere personal thanks for the document signed last Wednesday and made public on Saturday. Most humbly I will offer a Mass for both of you.
Sincerely yours in Christ
+Richard Williamson
-ConcordPastor
Williamson's "throw me in the sea" reeks of hubris if you ask me. I think he and the former governor of Illinois seem to have a thin grasp on the truth and reality of each of their situations.
ReplyDeleteHow is a man who holds these views fit to be a bishop (leader) in the Catholic church? Why has he not been removed?
ReplyDeleteWilliamson was ordained (validly but illicitly) by a schismatic archbishop (LeFebvre). He (and three other bishops ordained by LeFebvre) were excommunicated. The excommunications were lifted last week as part of a process to reconcile the four. These four have been and are still prohibited by Rome from celebrating the sacraments. Williamson's remarks in particular and the stance of others in the SSPX will obviously be a point of contention when "talks" between Rome and the four begin.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if any of the four will "come around" enough to be reconciled - I'm very doubtful about Williamson. But, that's the view of someone on the sidelines.
CP, please help me understand. You say the four bishops were ordained "validly but illicitly". It sounds like they are still bishops. Correct?
ReplyDeleteThey were excommunicated, then reinstated. They can't celebrate the sacraments. Is it possible to "remove" their position as bishops?
Williamson can be liaicized or defrocked - just like other errant members of the clergy. Perhaps, if the outcry from the laity is loud enough, then the hierarchy will discern that it is God's will. Perhaps what is called "sensus fidei" may apply here as it pertains to the life of the church.
ReplyDeletewhat Williamson did is dishonor the memory of 6 million dead - 6 million who suffered horribly in concentration camps. Moreover, he called the survivors liars & opportunists - profiting from an alleged tragedy. It is unacceptable for anyone to say such a thing. It is unconcionable for a bishop. We need to work with the hierarchy & express our outrage that they will see God's will.
ReplyDeleteWe are also the Church. We're not dumb sheep. If the hierarchy won't expel this member, then the laity must do so - not officially but in spirit. We need to make the world know that we do not accept this action. Gone are the days of the polgroms & Crusades.