Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Pope Admits Fault in Holocaust Bishop Flap

Vatican vows to plug into how news spreads online

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Mar 11, 2009 3:22 PM CDT

(Newser) – Pope Benedict will release a personal letter to bishops tomorrow that explains why he reinstated an excommunicated Holocaust denier and expresses regret for how that news was delivered, the New York Times reports. In leaked passages, the pontiff admits mistakes and promises greater awareness in the future of how news spreads online. The pope calls his actions “a modest act of mercy.”

“Instead, it suddenly appeared something completely different: as the denial of reconciliation between Christians and Jews,” he continues. The pope sparked rage by revoking the excommunication of Richard Williamson, a member of the ultraconservative Society of Pius X who denies the existence of Nazi gas chambers. In the letter, Benedict laments that “even Catholics” demonstrated “a hostility ready for the attack.”

[Images (4)]

[Videos (1)]

Pope Benedict XVI waves to faithful during the weekly general audience in St. Peter's square at the Vatican today. (AP Photo)

Pope Benedict XVI waves to the faithful during his weekly general audience in St. Peter's square at the Vatican today. (AP Photo)

Pope Benedict XVI delivers his message during the Angelus noon prayer in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, March 8, 2009. (AP Photo)

This Nov. 2008 image from video shows British-born Bishop Richard Williamson during an interview in which he denies that Nazi gas chambers existed. (AP Photo)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

BBC recaps the controversy around Richard Williamson's reinstatement in the Catholic Church. (certifiedcritic)

View larger videos >>

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Vatican Leaks Expose a Mutiny Within

Leaks shed light on Holy See power struggle

(NEWSER) - The Vatican's already-battered image is taking a beating lately from a series of leaks that have exposed an ugly power struggle inside the Holy See, Reuters reports. "It is a total mess," says one source, who believes the leaks are part of a "mutiny of the monsignors" against Pope Benedict XVI's heavy-handed deputy, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. The leaks have brought to light an alleged murder plot against the pontiff and revealed that Bertone transferred an archbishop who tried to blow the whistle on corruption . More»

Catholics Blast Nicki Minaj's Grammy Stunt

Catholic League: Academy would never allow similar insult to Judaism, Islam

(NEWSER) - Madonna might've been down on her creaky old knees at the Super Bowl , but hell hath no fury like the Catholic League today over Nicki Minaj's religious-themed, stunt-laden appearance at last night's Grammy Awards. The League today issued a press release titled, "Is Nicki Minaj Possessed?" Concluding that the answer to that question is "open," the League blasted the Recording Academy for allowing the performance, saying, "Never would they allow an artist to insult Judaism or Islam." More»

Pope Benedict 'Murder Plot' Shakes Italy

Vatican dismisses assassination outlined in letter

(NEWSER) - A bizarre plot to assassinate the Pope made headlines in Italy yesterday and may signal a new turn in a Vatican power struggle , the Guardian reports. A cardinal from Colombia notified Pope Benedict XVI's inner circle about the plan by delivering a letter from Cardinal Paolo Romeo, the archbishop of Palermo. In the letter, Romeo claims to have heard about the murder plot during several conversations with Italian businessmen in Beijing last November. More»

Brits Issue 'Catholic Cards'

British church issues 'faith cards' to 1M

(NEWSER) - One million people are about to become card-carrying Catholics, thanks to the Vatican. Inspired by Pope Benedict, the British church hierarchy is issuing cards to Catholics at Sunday Mass. Holders sign their name declaring themselves as Catholics, and a message requests that a priest be called for the holder in case of an emergency. The cards also carry a quote encouraging the holder to be a "preacher of truth." We "all carry cards in our wallets which reflect something of our identity and the things that are important to us," explained a church spokesman, who conceded the faith can't be "summarized in bullet points" on the Catholic card. The "carry-a-faith cards" are setting the church back $9,000, reports the Telegraph. More»

Israeli Women Refuse to Move to the Back of the Bus

Women defiant as ultra-Orthodox men try to impose religious views

(NEWSER) - Calling Rosa Parks. Israeli women are refusing to move to the back of the bus despite pressure from Orthodox Jews who believe in the segregation of the sexes. An 18-year-old female soldier recently boarded a Jerusalem bus and was ordered by an ultra-Orthodox man to the back. "I said I have a right to sit here," she told the Wall Street Journal. "Then other people gathered and started shouting. It was scary." Confrontations are increasing as the once-insular maxi-conservative Jews expand beyond their traditional communities and interact with mainstream Israelis. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Pope Admits Fault in Holocaust Bishop Flap