The Beleaguered Pope
He has apologized for his inattention to details. He has professed his complete and utter condemnation of anti-Semitism in any of its deranged forms. He has suffered his own personal sorrow in close communion with that of the Jewish people of the world, deploring the downfall of humankind in contemplating, devising and mounting a wide-ranging atrocity of such dimensions that it would succeed in annihilating six million Jews; the Shoah.And, now fully knowledgeable about what his decision to welcome a million orthodox Catholics - adherents to the Society of St.Pius X back into the fold of the Mother Church, by reinstating a handful of illegally consecrated bishops, among them a vicious anti-Semite and Holocaust denier - has resulted in, he is repentant. And has called for Bishop Williamson to recant his views, and apologize unequivocally.
Well, Bishop Williamson has undertaken to apologize to Pope Benedict, for the discomfort caused him.
As for his personal apology or risk being once again excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church, Bishop Williamson has decided he will "correct himself" only if he uncovers incontrovertible evidence that contradicts his fondly and long-held beliefs. He must, therefore, first "examine historical evidence" before committing himself to recant, to apologize. And that may well, he warns, take a long time.
However, now that the Pope has gone the mile to demand an apology, the Chief Rabbinate of Israel is committed to reinstated relations with the Vatican. And all is forgiven. "The Pope said he was misled" said a rabbinate spokesman, "and that he had not known Williamson’s history. He also absolutely condemned all those who deny the Holocaust, and emphasized the importance of the Vatican’s relations with Judaism."
It helped, immeasurably, to turn Pope Benedict against Bishop Williamson and his inconvenient declarations, that an outcry emanated from the international community, and from religious leaders within and without the Catholic Church. Along with some heads of state. That churches particularly, in Germany, Austria, Belgium and Holland protested the Bishop's return certainly had an effect on the Pope, ever cognizant of public opinion.
There is some satisfaction to be found that Bishop Williamson has been relieved of his post as head of a religious seminary in Argentina. And that the head of the Latin American Chapter of the Society St.Pius X announced that “Monsignor Williamson’s statements do not in any way reflect the position of our congregation.”
There is far greater satisfaction and comfort in knowing that within Germany a great outcry was heard, condemning the Pope's lack of awareness, his inept handling of the event, and his barely timely response, attempting to smooth over damaged relations his overtures to the SSPX group resulted in, between the Vatican and the Jewish community.
Word has it that the Society of St. Pious X is rife with anti-Semites and Holocaust deniers. That in the wake of this sordid episode, they have taken steps to cleanse their Internet web site of compromising tidbits. If nothing else, this event may have increased sensitivities and sensibilities, and that cannot be a bad thing.
Labels: Anti-Semitism, Political Realities, Religion
posted by Pieface @ Tuesday, February 10, 2009
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