Central Council of German Jews repudiates Bishop Williamson's "messed up" declaration


The first reactions to the new declaration are not exactly positive: The Vice-President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Dieter Graumann has rejected the apology of Bishop Richard Williamson for his Holocaust denial as a "third-class regret".

"Williamson takes his false theories about the Holocaust and its denial in no way back, but he regrets only that his words have had a harmful effect," said Graumann in conversation with "Handelsblatt.com".

Williamson had also stated his opinion had been formed 20 years ago "because of the then existing evidence" "As if 20 years ago the existence of the Holocaust was placed in doubt," Graumann is outraged, adding: "No: this thoroughly messed up declaration by Williamson unfortunately takes nothing back, admits rather in the conclusion that he holds Holocaust denial, which he has already given pathologically full expression to for many years, again as upright. "

For Graumann, the theme to "not in any way removed from the table, but more topical than ever." He made again in this connection sharp criticism of Pope Benedict XVI. The excommunication of Williamson despite the Holocaust-denial, as well as three other traditionalist bishops of the ultra-conservative SSPX was withdrawn. "This fatal mistake of the Vatican has unfortunately ongoing validity," said Graumann.

Williamson apologised on Thursday in a declaration published in London for his controversial statements about the Holocaust. He asked all who were sincerely shocked because of his words, " for forgiveness before God," which was reported by the Catholic Internet agency "zenit.org" quoting the statement. Williamson had about four months ago claimed that there was no historical evidence for the existence of gas chambers and not six million Jews, but 200 000 to 300 000 Jews were murdered by the Nazis.

Pope Benedict XVI and Bishop Bernard Fellay had invited him to rethink the remarks which he had made four months before to Swedish TV because of their very serious consequences were it was. He says, "Observing these consequences I can truthfully say that I regret having made such remarks, and that if I had known beforehand the full harm and hurt to which they would give rise, especially to the Church, but also to survivors and relatives of victims of injustice under the Third Reich, I would not have made them."

Comments

Editor said…
Thank you for your reporting and your balanced presentation.

Where is the evidence that the Bishop threatened journalists at Heathrow- he appeared very calm there (to my readings he only raised his fist at a very pesty reporter in Argentina where he perhaps felt in a dangerous position and was not getting very good security.) Your comments underneath do not support the title of the second paragraph.
NCTradCatholic said…
"Bishop threatens journalists at Heathrow"?? What on Earth is that about? Either substantiate that heading or remove it, please!
Aged parent said…
"The Central Council of German Jews rejects Williamson's apology." Was there ever any doubt that they wouldn't?

It is never enough for these never satisfied yet ever faithless people, apparently. They are only happy it seems if they are able to rub the faces of those who offend them in manure, and it is uncertain that even that would satisfy them, now that they have even the Vicar of Christ dancing attendance on them.

And they wonder why people don't like them...
Helen Westover said…
A bishop in Germany linked abortion with the holocaust, and was ripped by the Jews for it. They claim that their holocaust was the worst crime against humanity in all recorded history! Tell that to Stalin's victims, or the holocausts in Africa, etc.etc.
I think all this is going to backfire on the Holocaust Industry (Finklestein), and people are going to want to find out just how accurate the accepted history of the killing of Jews actually is.
lindi said…
Has anyone ever heard of the Ukranian food famine? Courtesy of Stalin.... 14 million, mostly Catholic.
Watosh said…
If someone were to be expelled from a country because they denied the historical evidence that Christ was God, or if someone were to be jailed for denying the historical evidence Christ was God there would be an awful outcry.
While I agree the holocaust should not be trivialized, neither should other mass murders be trivialized, like the Armenian holocaust (officially denied by Israel by the way), nor should the millions of babies aborted over the years be trivialized, nor should the millions of non-Jews murdered by the Nazis, be trivialized. Does the fact that the holocaust claimed so many Jewish victims, trivialize the Palestinians killed by modern bombs of great lethality, including white phosphorus shells? It sure seems like this is the case.
Per said…
We may wish to take caution regarding the phrase "the Jews." Recall John 10.19.