Holocaust-denying bishop apologizes to pope
VATICAN CITY — A bishop recently rehabilitated by Pope Benedict XVI expressed regret Friday to the pontiff for the “distress and problems” he caused by his statements denying the Holocaust.
In a letter to the Vatican, Bishop Richard Williamson, who in a recent TV interview denied that 6 million Jews were murdered during the Holocaust, called his remarks “imprudent.”
The letter was posted on Williamson’s personal blog Dinocopus and addressed to Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, who has been dealing with the rehabilitation of Williamson and other bishops who had been excommunicated.
The Holocaust denial had outraged Jewish groups and many others.
“Amidst this tremendous media storm stirred up by imprudent remarks of mine on Swedish television, I beg of you to accept, only as is properly respectful, my sincere regrets for having caused to yourself and to the Holy Father so much unnecessary distress and problems,” Williamson wrote.
Papal spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said he had “nothing to say about this letter. Everyone can evaluate it as they see fit.”
The Vatican imposed its most severe discipline on Williamson and three others 20 years ago because they had been elevated to bishop’s rank by a renegade, ultraconservative prelate, the late Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre.
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