Spiegel Online International had a 3-page article today about Bishop Williamson of the SSPX and his continuing denial of the Holocaust. Here is the article: Bishop Williamson Unrepentant in Holocaust Denial.
It appears from the article that the Bishop is not going to change his tune. This could certainly have reprecussions on the dialogue that is going on at the Vatican with the representatives of the SSPX.
You know I am not a traditional Catholic; however, I firmly believe that the Church can hold all of us, as long as there is good will and tolerance among us.
What say you?
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10 comments:
The Bishops historical ignorance, while repugnant in some ways, has no bearing on his theological beliefs. The story by Der Spiegel is simply meant to hamper the talks. It won't work.
That is true that his historical ignorance has no bearing on theology; however, this type of stubborness does nothing for the salvation of souls and a Bishop with no humility and such little regard for the human race should be ignored. No offense to the Extraordinary Form people.....but....I've noticed that some of the Extraordinary Form people seem to be no strangers to extremism in many ways. I'm not a name-burner but isn't that the same bishop that refuses to compromise on anything when lecturing, I mean, dialoging with the Pope? The stubborness of some of these traditionalist is starting to get old (almost to the point of a bunch of capricious ninnies). Especially when the Vatican seems to be doing backflips to get them back on board. The Church does not need this bishop. In fact, the Church would be better off without this bishop. I wish all of his followers would see the light and leave him. I am by no means liturgically progressive, in fact the opposite, but some of the sanctimonious demeaner coming from the right is getting old, and fast.
I think the major issue about not dumping the bishop is because he can ordain and if he splits from the SSPX, he can and probably would ordain, creating another schismatic (or whatever you want to call it) group. I would think he would take quite a few like-minded people with him.
Miss Beaumont,
"Stubborness" has not allegience to a particular liturgy. The Church's history is filled with wayward Bishops and attempts by the Church to bring them back into the fold. But again, Bishop Williamson's historical errors have no bearing on theological truth. After all, the Church is filled with countless ignorant individuals who don't even know Church history to any great extent. Don't fall into the trap the Der Spiegel has sprung. Your reaction is exactly what the modernists are hoping for. Besides almost all of the "Extraordinary Form people" as you would call them (I use the term "Catholic") know that Bishop Williamson is at best "off balance." I suppose I could likewise judge the rest of the Church by what I find in the pages of the National Catholic Reporter. Though I'm not sure why I would do that.
I am not convinced that ultimately Bishop Williamson, or, for that matter, most within the SSPX, truly want to reconcile with The Church. In essence, they've become nothing more than slightly glorified Protestants, and it's all about power.
One is either Catholic, which means one is in communion with the Pope and The Church, or one is not. Those within the SSPX are not Catholic. They're always welcome (as are all other Protestants) to return to the fold, but that's a decision for them, not The Church, to make.
The SSPX are not "glorified protestants" and I am confident that I would be in agreement with the Holy Father on that. What they are is tainted by the disobedience of Archbishop Lefebrve. But even with this, their points regarding Vatican II and the absolutely rupture in tradition that its INTERPRETATION brought are valid and should be discussed.
I'm not part of the Society but I do have friends that are to include a priest. In my dealings they dearly love the Holy Father and want reconcilliation. What undermines that is loose rhetoric, name calling and obvious hit pieces from the media aimed at the Church and her Tradition. What is needed is honest men of goodwill on both sides willing to display humility. I'll pray for that and welcome them and their love for our Church back with open arms. Then perhaps the focus can be on the real heretics of the Church who openly flaunt Her teaching all while proclaiming to be "authentic."
Stu, if any SSPX member wants reconciliation then confession through any Catholic priest can be easily arranged, and he/she can then start attending Mass at any Catholic (and I mean Catholic) parish immediately. Just that simple, I think.
Good intentions or not, and regardless of whether they have some good points with respect to misinterpretations of Vatican II (unfortunately they go much further than that) it is they who have left the Church, and it is only they who can return; we can't do it for them.
I say Benedict XVI should just "keep on keeping on" with his good work and ignore the SSPX. If they want to talk, fine; but enough with the preposterous "demands" of Christ's Church.
And of course by preposterous I'm talking about the SSPX's demands; not the Church's demands ...
I used the term "reconciliation" in the general sense in applying to entire group. And clearly the Holy Father sees merit in reaching out to them (kind of like Christ always out looking and His lost sheep) given the current talks regarding Vatican II. I agree wholeheartedly with his judgment on this as their return will ultimately strengthen the Church; one that the Pope sees as smaller but more fervent in the future. And for the record, the Vatican has been clear that they are not in schism, so to say they have left the Church would be in error. Quite often, their situation has been referred to as "irregular."
As to "preposterous demands," which ones exactly do you mean?
From the Roman/Traditionalist perspective:
Holocaust denial is a form of anti-semitism, or at best, deplorable, if not willful, ignorance. If one is not informed of this history, he should take it upon himself to remedy this situation quickly. Also, Traditional Catholicism must not be allowed to become a refuge of anti-semitism. Any such sentiments found among us must be rooted out and confessed.
Please keep in mind that SSPX likes to portray itself as a Traditional Catholic group. I don't doubt that they have many virtuous people who truly desire to do God's will. However, they continue in their irregular situation with respect to the Church year after year. The longer they choose to persist in this situation, the worse their susceptibility to various pathologies will become.
It's not a cliche to say that the Holocaust brought to the surface the very best and the worst in many people. Doctor Janusz Korczak, admired by many Jews and Gentiles alike, deserves to be remembered as having lived a life of heroic virtue during that evil time:
http://korczak.com/Biography/kap-0.htm
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