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Vatican Demands Holocaust Denier Recant

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 4, 2009 9:02 AM CST

(Newser) – The Vatican has demanded that Bishop Richard Williamson, a Holocaust denier who was recently un-excommunicated, recant his views in order to serve in the Catholic Church, the BBC reports. Williamson was excommunicated 20 years ago for a separate transgression. The Church said the pope was unaware of his contrarian stance on the Jewish genocide when he reinstated him last month.

The move by the Vatican comes after an uproar over Williamson’s invitation back into the fold, particularly in Germany. A German prosecutor is investigating the bishop for “inciting racial hatred” by denying the Holocaust, a crime in that country, CNN reports. And German Chancellor Angela Merkel has issued a strong call for the pope to clarify his own position on the matter, the AP reports. “I do not believe that sufficient clarification has been made,” she said.

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Pope Benedict XVI. (AP Photo)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel smiles during her meeting with Pope Benedict XVI. (AP Photo)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel. (AP Photo)

Pope Benedict XVI waves to faithful during his weekly general audience in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican, Wednesday Jan. 21, 2009. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Pope Benedict XVI arrives in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican to celebrate the funeral of Cardinal Pio Laghi, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)

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The pope himself clearly explained the purpose of lifting the excommunication, which has nothing to do with any legitimization of positions denying the Holocaust, which were clearly condemned. - Spokesman Federico Lombardi

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