Bishop Will 'Look Into' Holocaust Record

Hardliner rejected Vatican reforms for being too tolerant of other faiths

(NEWSER) - Pope Benedict XVI is planning to welcome four rebel bishops excommunicated by his predecessor back to the Catholic Church, reports the Times of London. The ultra-conservative bishops reject the liberal reforms of the Second Vatican Council. One of them, Richard Williamson, openly endorses the anti-semitic tract Protocols of the Elders of Zion and believes the Holocaust never happened. The bishops were excommunicated for defying church authority. More»

(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»

Bishop scuffles with newsman while complying with order to leave Argentina in Airport Face-Off

(NEWSER) - Holocaust-denying British bishop Richard Williamson made an angry exit from Argentina today, the BBC reports. The bishop brandished a fist at a reporter and briefly scuffled with him as he passed through the airport. Williamson, who was ordered to leave Argentina when officials there learned of his views, arrived in London later in the day and was ushered past reporters into a waiting car. More»

Bungling over rebel bishop squandered nation's pride in pontiff

(NEWSER) - The first German pope in nearly 500 years has lost the confidence of Germans as swiftly as a collapsing mortgage lender, Alexander Smoltcyzk writes in Der Spiegel. The scandal surrounding the reinstatement of Holocaust denying Bishop Richard Williamson has done lasting damage to the pope's authority and reputation, replacing the German public's affection with disappointment and suspicion, writes Smoltcyzk. More»

(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. More»