Cardinals Blast Pope on Holocaust Denier

(NEWSER) - The Vatican today rejected Bishop Richard Williamson’s so-called apology for his Holocaust beliefs, CNN reports, a mea culpa mandated by the Pope. “He must also distance himself in an absolutely unequivocal and public from his stand regarding the [Holocaust],” a spokesman said. Williamson said he regretted the “distress” his remarks caused, and “would not have made them” if he’d known, but did not retract them. More»

(AP) - A British bishop apologized today for remarks in which he denied the scale of the Holocaust and asserted that no Jews were gassed in concentration camps. "I can truthfully say that I regret having made such remarks," said Bishop Richard Williamson. He did not, however, say that his comments were wrong or that he had changed his views. More»

Conservative society sacks bishop reinstated by pope

(NEWSER) - The Holocaust-denying bishop embroiled in controversy since Pope Benedict lifted his excommunication has been booted from his Argentine seminary, the Independent reports. Richard Williamson's ultra-conservative sect sacked him as seminary director as the Vatican increased pressure on the bishop to recant his controversial statements that Jews were not gassed during World War II. More»

Pope attempts to smooth ties with conciliatory remarks

(NEWSER) - Israel’s senior rabbinical body has severed ties with the Vatican, saying Bishop Richard Williamson should recant his statements denying that millions of Jews were "deliberately gassed" during the Holocaust. The chief rabbinate expressed “sorrow and pain” at the decision, which follows worldwide outrage among Jews and progressive Catholics for Pope Benedict's decision to reinstate Williamson, the Telegraph reports. More»

Pontiff keeps his silence on sex abuse scandals

(AP) - A senior cardinal defended Pope Benedict XVI from "petty gossip" today, praising his "unfailing" leadership, even as the pontiff maintained his silence on mounting accusations of sex abuse cover-ups during his Easter message. At the end of the two-hour long ceremony, a weary-looking Benedict delivered the papacy's traditional Easter "Urbi et Orbi" message, analyzing humanity's failings and hopes. More»