Bishop Williamson to re-visit Germany

Bishop Richard Williamson will visit Germany in the next days according to the webpage katholisches.info. Williamson will consecrate a chapel of sisters in Häusern, southern Germany, and visit the Carmelite nuns of Brilon Wald who have left the FSSPX some weeks ago. Further the bishop will be the guest of a Sedevacantist Mass centre in Wigratzbad. According to katholisches.info, in Germany a split between followers of the FSSPX and followers of bishop Williamson is imminent.

Source

Who will Williamson consecrate as bishops?

"Resistance group" against Rome and SSPX

(London / New York) The evidence is mounting that Bishop Richard Williamson will soon undertake illegitimate episcopal ordinations. In October 2012, the England-based Briton Williamson was expelled from the SSPX because of "repeated disobedience". Williamson was one of four priests who were consecrated auxiliary bishops in 1988 by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, founder of the traditionalist Society of Saint Pius The ordinations are valid but took place against the wishes of Pope John Paul II. They led to the break with Rome, while Archbishop Lefebvre and the four bishops consecrated were excommunicated. That the excommunication no longer applies, was decided early in 2010 by the Holy See. They paved the way for settlement discussions and a canonical recognition of the SSPX within the Catholic Church. Such a recognition had already been withdrawn from the SSPX from the mid-70s.

Shortly after expulsion by the SSPX, Williamson made known his intention to consecrate bishops

After his expulsion from the SSPX, Williamson was preparing himself to conduct illicit ordinations. There was speculation it immediately after being dismissed in the Lefebvrists.  In his weekly newsletter Eleison Comments Williamson announced at an episcopal ordinations.  On the 10th November 2012 , he wrote that as far as he was concerned it's a matter of following His providence through the ordination of priests or the consecration of bishops. God's will "be done, according to Williamson.

As a likely candidate for consecration by Williamson is the former priest of the SSPX Joseph Pfeiffer. Another candidate could be the "independent" priest Ronald Ringrose. Both are Americans.

Joseph Pfeiffer expelled from the SSPX

Joseph Pfeiffer was a priest of the SSPX, but was expelled in September 2012 because of "disobedience." Pfeiffer had accused the Superior General and the General House of the SSPX, of "submitting to Rome", and announced, however, along with another priest of the SSPX, Father François Chazal the establishment of a "resistance group". After both priests had refused to return to their pastoral charges, Father Pfeiffer worked in the Philippines, breaking of all contact with their superiors and “going underground” in the U.S. "submerged", they were expelled from the SSPX.

Ronald Ringrose: "independent" priest and meeting place for the "resistance group" against union with Rome

Ronald Ringrose never belonged to the SSPX but was close to the Society. Ringrose is an "independent" priest, who for 30 years has been leading the traditionalist community of St. Athanasius in Washington DC.

Williamson published in his latest Eleison Comments on 5 January a letter from Ringrose to the American District Superior of the SSPX.

In June last year, Father Ringrose hosted in his church the first meeting of the core team of the SSPX priests who in America want to "resist the change of course of the SSPX Williamson said in his circular letter.

The expelled bishop maintains his thesis that in the SSPX "in secret" a "change of course" took place for which the Superior General, Bishop Bernard Fellay, is blamed. The "change of course" means the "subjugation" of the SSPX to the "Super-heresy", as Williamson calls the entire Second Vatican Council. By contrast, the "true SSPX" should be rebuilt.

In the Eleison comments, Ringrose and Williamson assure each other with mutual sympathy and praise.

Ringrose, who himself had never belonged to the Society, wrote in the letter printed by Williamson to the SSPX, that Williamson actually was the one who "modeled himself after Archbishop Lefebvre."

"And finally, I am appalled by the treatment of Bishop Williamson by the SSPX - outraged not only by his recent expulsion from the Society, but also about his shabby treatment in recent years," said Ringrose. Williamson praises for his part Ringrose, whose letter he describes as "admirable" and "truly a model for astute thinking." Ringrose was a "true friend" and a "unique bastion of Catholicism."

"Long live Father Ringrose, "said Williamson, then in his Eleison comments. Ringrose's St. Athanasius community could also be the place where the consecrations take place.

Source

Bishop Williamson back in court middle of January

Bishop Williamson back in court

Bishop Richard Williamson of the ultra-conservative SSPX must on 16 January again stand trial for race hatred before the Regensburg Regional Court, a spokesman for the Justice Ministry has announced.

The process is initially scheduled to last two days. A second trial date and expected date of the judgment is 22 January. The prosecutor alleges that the 72-year-old Williamson denied the Holocaust in an interview with a Swedish television. The SSPX has now expelled Williamson.

The interview was held on 1 November 2008 recorded in the seminary of the SSPX at Zaitzkofen near Regensburg and was aired on 21 January 2009. On the same day, the Vatican lifted the excommunication of the four bishops of the SSPX.

After broadcasting the interview Williamson was initially convicted of racial hatred and fined several thousand euros. This court decision, which was confirmed by two appeal courts, was lifted by the the Upper Regional Court in Nürnberg on a technicality. Then the prosecutor sought a new arrest warrant with a fine of 100 euros per day. Williamson's lawyer objected to this penalty, so now the court case will be on 16 January.

At the main trial, the investigating police officers and the Swedish journalists will be heard as witnesses. The personal appearance of Williamson is not necessary, according to the court. Also in the prior proceedings, the bishop has never participated personally.

Source

Bishop Williamson expelled from the SSPX

Reported by the reliable Novus Ordo Watch.

What will he do now?

New charges against Bishop Williamson

The case of Holocaust denier Bishop Richard Williamson is expected to come to a new trial. The Regensburg court has re-adopted the charges against the SSPX member. His defense council has announced that they will oppose the charges. The Regensburg court has again charged the ultraconservative bishop and Holocaust denier Richard Williamson with incitement to racial hatred. The SSPX bishop downplayed the murder of Jews during the Nazi dictatorship, according to a court spokesman. The penalty provides for a fine of 100 equivalent daily units (financial penalties are on a tariff of days in Germany). The spokesman would not disclose the amount of the penalty sought. 

Williamson's lawyer has announced that a statement of opposition against the fine will be lodged with the court. The case against the 72-year-old bishop will therefore have to be reopened. There had been no new results from the investigation, so that the defense will seek an acquital, it was said in a statement. Williamson, Bishop of the ultra-conservative SSPX had, in October 2008, been intervieed in the seminary of the Society in Regensburg by a Swedish television crew. In it, he denied the existence of gas chambers and the killing of millions of Jews by the Nazis. The interview broadcast in Sweden was published on the Internet. 

 The District Court in Regensburg had demanded that Williamson as a penalty make a payment of a 10,000 euro fine. The bishop refused which led to the first process. In it , the District Court upheld the fine in 2010, which in 2011 was reduced to 6500 euros by the District Court of the Second Instance . However Williamson lodged an appeal. In February, the Nuremberg Higher Regional Court quashed the judgment because of procedural errors . The judges criticized the original judgment on the grounds that the distribution channels of the interview had not been shown. The Williamson case plunged the Catholic Church into a serious crisis. It was precisely at the time that the interview was made ​​public that the Vatican announced the lifting of the excommunication of Williamson and three other bishops of the SSPX. Pope Benedict XVI. said at the time that he had known nothing of the interview. Source

SSPX- Bishop Williamson not welcome in Brazil

Source- Communique of the SSPX South American superior:

At the invitation of Dom Thomas, prior of the monastery of the Holy Cross of New Freiburg, Bishop Williamson came to confer the sacrament of confirmation and give some lectures.

I would like to clarify that this trip has been organized independently of the SSPX. Indeed, according to the directives left by our founder Archbishop Lefebvre, only the Superior General, Bishop Fellay in this case, gives the mandate to the auxiliary bishops to undertake a pastoral visit. This procedure has not been respected, which is a serious act against the virtue of obedience but also a more basic lack of courtesy. In addition, the District Superior's agreement has not been requested as required by the statutes of our Fraternity. The harmonious collaboration that existed between the SSPX and the Monastery of the Holy Cross has been broken by this act of great gravity, so the organizers must take responsibility before God. Indeed, some have been deceived and faithful attended the ceremonies and conferences announced believing that they had been organized by the SSPX.

After reading the article of Dom Tomas de Aquino "Honor and Glory to Mgr Williamson", I denounce firmly the indirect accusations which were made ​​suggesting that the SSPX would agree with modernism and cease fighting for the defense of Catholic Tradition .

Such insinuations are gratuitous, false, hurtful and injurious to our Superior General and to the members of the SSPX. I cannot remain silent. If Bishop Fellay has rejected the outstretched hand of Rome on June 13, it is for doctrinal reasons. And it is because we reject the modernism imbued Vatican II which is the main cause of the ruin of the Church today and we want to continue saying it, it is also because we reject the Novus Ordo Missae that departs from both Catholic doctrine "as a whole and in detail", that no practical agreement has been signed with Rome. This was the position of Archbishop Lefebvre yesterday and this is the position of Monsignor Fellay today. The General Chapter last July confirmed it. Any other assertion is nothing more than a manipulation or lie. Any prediction of a practical agreement reveals a morbid imagination.

At the beginning of December, Bishop de Galarreta will come to visit and confer the sacrament of Confirmation in Brazil and other countries in our district as our Superior General has planned for many months.

I invite the faithful of the Catholic tradition in Brazil not to pay attention to rumors, to continue to support their priests with their sacrifices, prayers and generosity and beg God to send numerous and ardent vocations to defend and extend the reign of Christ the King under the noble banner of the Catholic tradition and the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary. God bless you!

Vatileaks journalist gives major interview on the Pope, the Butler and the Vatican Bank

Gianluigi Nuzzi, author of Vatileaks-book "His Holiness. The secret letters from the desk of Pope Benedict XVI"  is interviewed about the alleged plot against the Pope, prison cells and the machinations of the Vatican Bank.

Mr. Nuzzi, in recent times, the Pope was amazingly happy to start legal proceedings. Up until last week, he was suing the satirical magazine "Titanic". What are you accused of?

Nothing, because I have published documents whose authenticity is not disputed by anyone. They are like sandpaper, because the content is embarrassing and painful. But in Italy that is just as legal as distributing photocopies.

As one of your sources, the Vatican has revealed the former valet of the Pope, Paolo Gabriele. Is the result of the investigations true?

I will not breathe a word about my informants. But as Paolo Gabriele has designated myself as a recipient of documents - more specifically - photocopies of documents – this releases me at least partly from the absolute protection of sources.

Generally, there are two levels of interest. First, the question: Who are Nuzzis sources?

On the other hand the question: Why does a man like Gabriele - a devout Catholic, an absolute "Papist" who worshiped the Holy Father, who has accompanied him for years like a shadow – decide on such actions?

So, why? The Vatican speaks of a disturbed personality.

In southern Italy in the 1960s, there were women, who got pregnant out of wedlock who were put onto the psychiatric ward. Only can only badly solve problems with psychiatric reports. So, I the explanation of "crazy" leaves me quite perplexed. You mean about the Pope has surrounded himself with a weirdo for years, and nobody has noticed?

Article then gives short bios of the following

Paolo Gabriele, 46... counted as a servant of the Pope to his "inner family circle." The father of three had access to all the private apartments of the head of the church . "Paoletto" already served John Paul II and was widely appreciated. He is accused of  aggravated burglary of highly classified documents and sits in jail- according to his lawyer he wants to cooperate with investigators.

Gianluigi Nuzzi, 43

Tarcisio Bertone, 77

Federico Lombardi, 69

Piero Antonio Bonnet, 68

Investigating magistrate …..As well as the Papal butler, up to 20 further people could be involved in the leaking and publication of confidential documents. Further arrests thus are not ruled out.

Does it weigh you down as a writer, that one of your informants has migrated under lock and key?

I note with surprise that the man has been detained for months. Such a hardness in a state where everything else that always happens is just symbolic! Was that necessary? Commensurat with the Rule of law? Would it be possible in Germany for an offence such as theft?

Hardly.

Consider it! But beyond these procedural issues, there was perhaps a moral duty to publish these documents.

With the result of being arrested? Would Paolo Gabriele share this view?

Excuse me, we are all of legal age. Gabriele has not given me these papers to make paper planes out of them. I asked him how he feels. He told me that he was completely at peace with himself, and he had acted in full awareness of the possible consequences, because he considered it his duty as a believer.

Is there a conspiracy in the Vatican?

Against who?

I ask you! Against the Pope? Against his Cardinal Secretary of State? Against the goodie-two-shoes in the Vatican Bank? The hodgepodge of your documents does not give a clear picture, that's the problem.

Exactly! If the documents can be seen but no clear addressee, against whom they are addressed, this also means: There is no conspiracy and no conspirators, but only a few brave Catholics who have taken it for less serious that all these documents come to public light than to conceal hypocrisies and scandalous activities

For what purpose?

My grandmother always said, "Carta canta" – paper chatters away. These documents speak of how far the Vatican has removed from the church itself. And suffer from my informants.

That falls back ultimately on the Pope, who your informant supposedly wanted to help.

You will not find in my book anything that is directed against the Holy Father.

The whole book is directed against him. He appears as helpless, powerless. He has so little grip on his business that confidential documents in cartloads could be taken from his desk, only to end up with you. So, he who has such helpers, needs no more opponents.

I understand your point of view. But I'm not doing these things on my own. The spokesman of the Pope has for my revelations coined the term "Vatileaks". It is an attempt to put my book on a par with WikiLeaks. An inadequate attempt, I think. Because unlike Wikileaks, you see with me no military secrets, and anything that might compromise the security of a nation. But you know how it is in the Vatican and what weaknesses there are – as extracts, I might add. Because the documents show only a part of the reality.

Since their release, it has become lonely around the Pope. Even his former private secretary and his former female secretary belong to the traitors - out of jealousy.

Of course, all these rumors do the Holy Father no good. But we maintain once again: Apart from Paolo Gabriele no-one is being investigated. If all the alleged traitors around the Pope are identified, it is a bad game to weaken people who have nothing to do with my book. What is that for a story? Only the valet, no, also the ex-private secretary and ex-female secretary - they all should have together gone crazy and have started to work against the Pope? Absurd!

But how was it then? But were there high-ranking Vatican officials, members of the College of Cardinals even at work?

You still dig for the sources, instead if considering he contents! Do you know what Paolo Gabriele told me in his first and only interview that will come out soon? "If the Vatican had investigated the scandals with the same zeal as the search for their leakers, then that would have been very commendable." Anyway, one thing I can still tell you this: No Cardinal has made a contribution to my book.

Again and again, your book goes into the shady finances of the Vatican. Is this, in your view of the crucial flaw?

That the Vatican bank was involved at least until the end of the 80s in Mafia business and money laundering, has been disclosed in the highest courts. The next 20 years are, to a large extent, still in a semi-darkness. The Vatican has indeed only introduced the offence of money launderin in 2010. A short time later, the leading bankers of the Vatican appeared on a list of Italian justices of those to be investigated for money laundering. One of them has now been sacked. Let's see who succeeds him. Should it be a German, of which there is some murmur in the Vatican, it is likely to be interpreted as a sign of the strength of the pope and his secretary, Georg Gänswein.

Their publications have anything else changed in the Vatican?

One thing for sure: jail cells, which had previously been used as storage rooms have been renovated and brought back to their original purpose.

But joking aside, I do think that the effort has grown for greater transparency. A friend from the Vatican told me: Three-quarters of the people here understand the spirit of your book, even if they are of course not allowed to say it out loud. The Archbishop of Paris even said that the Vatican is at a turning point. Interesting, is it not?

What do you say about the documents on the relationship between the German Pope and Germany?

The whole affair of the Holocaust denier Richard Williamson has very much irritated the Pope. There was friction with the Apostolic Nuncio, and there was actually an expectation that the German cardinals should clearly position themselves against the criticism of the Pope from German Chancellor Angela Merkel . But what came of the matter?

It just fizzled out like the attempt of the Pope to clean up the Welt Verlag who famously had erotic book titles on offer. Now to the shares of the dioceses are probably transferred to a foundation under ecclesiastical control. That's not the solution which the Pope sought, according to the documents published by me! This is at most - to stay in the field of eroticism - a fig leaf.

Source-Frankfurter Rundschau

Bishop Williamson judgement not before October

Strafbefehl gegen Bischof Williamson dauert noch > Kleine Zeitung

The legal decision in the case of the British Holocaust denier Bishop Richard Williamson drags on. A decision on the proposed penalty is not expected before October, said a spokeswoman for the Regensburg District Court on Monday. Firstly, the attorney of Williamson should have time for comment.

German prosecutors had sought again in mid-July against the 72-year-old Bishop of the ultra-conservative SSPX a judgement against promoting racial hatred. In 2008, Williamson had denied in an interview with a Swedish television channel in the SSPX Seminary of Zaitzkofen the Nazi mass murder of millions of Jews and the existence of gas chambers.

The Regensburg District Court sentenced the priest for racial hatred in 2010 to pay a fine of 10,000 euros. In July 2011, the District Court affirmed the decision of Regensburg, but reduced the penalty to 6,500 euros (100 days sets of 65 euros). In February, Nuremberg Higher Regional Court quashed the judgment because of procedural errors. The judge complained that the distribution channels of the interview had not been demonstrated. The prosecution has applied for the new judgement in conformity with the requirements of the Nuremberg Higher Regional Court.

The Bishop Williamson videotapes- complete set

Rome is crammed with freemasons

Yes, I am a conspiracy nut- 7/7 was an inside job- nuclear attack on Olympics




Bishop Fellay and his gang




Bishop Fellay is starting to weasel around




The SSPX is coming off the rails- get rid of Bishop Fellay

Bishop Williamson suggests there might well be an atomic explosion at the Olympics

And for good measure that the tragedy of 7/7 was an inside job and admits that he is a conspiracy nut. See also Bishop Williamson plots the downfall of Bishop Fellay and Bishop Fellay and his gang

"Bishop Fellay and his gang"- Bishop Williamson speaks out

Bishop Williamson plots downfall of Bishop Fellay on video

New charges to be brought against Bishop Williamson

Holocaust-Leugnung - Neuer Strafbefehl gegen Bischof Williamson beantragt - Bayern - sueddeutsche.de

Holocaust denier Richard Williamson was convicted of racial hatred - but for technical legal reasons, the judgment was dismissed. Now, the prosecution again is seeking the indictment of the traditionalist bishop.

Against the Holocaust denier Richard Williamson , a new penalty for racial hatred has been applied for. The request of the prosecutor in Regensburg was already made on 11 July at the local district court according to a spokesman for the prosecutor on Thursday.

Against Bishop Richard Williamson, a new penalty has been sought for race hatred. )

The traditionalist British Bishop Williamson in November 2008 on a Swedish television interview challenged the existence of gas chambers during the Nazi era. Because of the incident, Williamson was in April 2011 convincted in the District Court of the Second Instance of Regensburg of incitement with a fine of 6500 €. The judge's decision was, however, in an appeal hearing by the Higher Regional Court (OLG) in Nuremberg dismissed for formal legal reasons.

The Judges of the Court of Appeal had then complained that the charges against the bishop of the ultra-conservative SSPX were not sufficiently described in the prosecution dossier. However, the Court of Appeal had no doubt about the criminality of Williamson's statements. The provisions of the Higher Regional Court have been taken into account when drafting the now re-submitted application for a sentence, said the spokesman for the prosecutors in Regensburg, Wolfhard Meindl.

The district court of Regensburg confirmed on Thursday the receipt of the application for a sentence. A decision is expected in the coming weeks, said a spokesman for the court.

Williamson had said in the television interview, among other things: "I believe there were no gas chambers." He continued: "I do not think that six million Jews in Germany were gassed. " The interview with the Swedish station was recorderd on the sidelines of a priestly ordination of the SSPX in Zaitzkofen. It was shown on Swedish television and subsequently published on the Internet.

In the first case against Williamson, the question was largely of whether the bishop was expected to know that his offensive statements would be disseminated in the Federal Republic of statements via the Internet and thus would be seen in Germany.

Bishop Williamson's views receive support from a surprising quarter

Berühmter Sohn: SPD-Chef Sigmar Gabriel lässt kranken Vater allein | Politik & Wirtschaft - Berliner Kurier

Ahrensburg, just outside Hamburg. Here, in a neat retirement home, lives the 91-year-old Walter Gabriel. In his working life, he was an official in the county council administration of Bad Oldesloe. But only in the home, it is known that the old man in a wheelchair is the father of the SPD chairman - of the man who will perhaps become Chancellor of Germany in 2013. Visits from his famous son, however he never gets. Not even now, after the 52-year-old politician has become a father for the second time.

Human and ideologically the father and son are separated by worlds. Because Walter Gabriel is an unrepentant right-wing radical who has subscribed to the Nazi house magazine "„National-Zeitung“". "Yes, I read it. Why not? "He says to the COURIER. And once under way, he gets going properly. About the Holocaust: "I have great doubts it. And there are famous people, such as the (SSPX member - the editor) Bishop Williamson who deny all of this. They cannot all be wrong? "

"We live in a democratic dictatorship."

His son is the head of the largest opposition party, but Walter Gabriel does not that the Federal Republic is a democratic system: "We live in a democratic dictatorship. There are too many foreigners. We let them all in, no matter who they are. Especially those who then dip into our pockets. "

The estrangement from his son still seems to grieve him, "I have done nothing but good for the boy ... I would have been glad if he would come again. But, if he does not want to, I also do not want it anymore, "said Gabriel to the COURIER. In May 2005, they saw each other one last time, the gap that separates them is deep - and much older.

1962, Sigmar was three years old and his parents separated. Against his will, Sigmar remained with his father and was cared for by his grandmother. 1968 Sigmar was obliged to follow the father to the Hamburg area, although the mother had been awarded custody. The son suffered and never forgave his father.

"I am dying," complains Walter Gabriel who is suffering from a tumour in the head. But Sigmar Gabriel, who is a professed Lutheran, is apparently not thinking of a reconciliation. All questions about his father remain unanswered.

SSPX clarifies status of Bishop Williamson and announces imminent decision

kathweb Nachrichten .:. Katholische Presseagentur Österreich

The Lefebvrist-bishop had been officially excluded from participation in the General Chapter of the Fraternity which took place last week

The British Holocaust-denier Richard Williamson remains a member of the Lefebvrist SSPX (Cathcon- by definition the SSPX is Lefebvrist!) . Also, there is no change to his status as a bishop said SSPX spokesman , Alain Lorans, upon request on Monday in Paris. At the same time Lorans confirmed that Williamson had been officially excluded from participation in the General Chapter of the Community which took place last week. This measure is only "selective" and has no influence on Williamson's status in the SSPX, according to Lorans. The 72-year-old Williamson had whose doubts expressed in 2009 about the existence of gas chambers provoked an uproar and strained relations between the Society, which is separated from Rome and the Vatican.

The "Fraternity of St. Pius X." has after a week of deliberations in the Swiss town of Econe weekend announced that "soon" "a general declaration to Rome" will be published. The meeting discussed the question of whether to sign a "Doctrinal Statement." presented to the SSPX by the Vatican. This is a prerequisite for a possible reconciliation with Rome. In advance of the General Chapter, the different positions of the bishops of the Fraternity had diverged significantly.

SSPX says no to Rome-updated

Announcement due tomorrow. There is no return to Rome. The superior of the Lefebvrists of Spain and Portugal, Juan Maria Montagut, will communicate to the faithful, after the mass of 11, that the hierarchy of the FSSPX, gathered in Ecône, have decided to say "no" to the Vatican. 

The followers of Lefebvre will not return to the Roman fold. Primarily, because they are not willing to accept the Second Vatican Council in all its extremes. The Vatican, through the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Levada, had demanded "full acceptance of the Council". And the Lefebvrists are not willing to return with that condition. They believe that accepting the Council would accept its errors, which, according to them, they are particularly focused on the chapters of "religious freedom, ecumenism and conciliarismo". 

The decision of their hierarchy will be well accepted among the followers of the Lefebvrists, which did not see with good eyes a return to Rome conditional on the acceptance of the Council, in which they criticized much of the evils of the present church. However, they are thankful to Rome for the rapprochement and the possibility that has been provided for them to be able to present their doctrinal point of view. 

Tomorrow, the superiors of the local FSSPX will read out the statement setting out the reasons and circumstances of their refusal to return to Rome and to reintegrate into the Catholic Church. 

Spanish source

Original translation done in great haste- now revised.

Not a surprising decision given the recent unhelpful comments of the new head of the Congregation for the     Doctrine of the Faith.   But a caveat regarding the source at rorate-caeli.

If so a tragedy for the Church and the SSPX.

In other news, the Chapter voted to maintain the exclusion of Bishop Williamson.

New Head of CDF on record. Four SSPX bishops should resign and close their seminary

Catholic Church Conservation: Regensburg Bishop- All four SSPX bishops should resign and the SSPX seminary should close

"The SSPX bishops should resign"

The Regensburg Bishop Gerhard Ludwig Mueller about the prohibition of the Holocaust denier, Williamson in his diocese, and what he wants from the Society of St Pius X.

In the diocese the Society of St Pius X runs a Seminary - Bishop Gerhard Ludwig Müller (left) wants to close it down.

ZEIT ONLINE: The lifting of the excommunication of the Bishop and Holocaust denier Williamson will continue to cause protest. Surely Pope Benedict knew about this beforehand?

Bishop Gerhard Ludwig Müller: Outwardly the Pope bears the responsibility. But critical for a lifting of excommunication is the internal process, the work of the committees. I do not believe that the Pope knew about the views of Bishop Williamson knew. Pope Benedict, in a generous gesture opened his arms

ZEIT ONLINE How did he decide on this gesture?

Muller: The Pope received an urgent request from the SSPX for the excommunication to be annulled. It was from him a generous act to reach out a hand to a group standing at the border of the Church. The pope in no way signals an agreement with the anti-Semitism of Williamson and other members of the SSPX. Their statements differ from the principles of the Catholic Church.

ZEIT ONLINE: Nevertheless, the Catholic Church and the Pope are in a bad position, because a Holocaust denier seems to be rehabilitated..

Müller: Christ has not redeemed the people and founded the faith communities of Christians so that we now discriminate against other religions. The statements of Williamson are unsustainable and do not have a sense that a true Catholic can represent. Such statements must be rejected with all resolution possible. In addition, a rehabilitation cannot be talked about ...

The bishop of Regensburg, Gerhard Ludwig Mueller, asks the SSPX to follow the procedures of canon law.

ZEIT ONLINE: Why not?

Müller: The bishops and priests are not rehabilitated, the Pope is merely responding to their desire to come to lift the excommunication. Now we have to assess whether they even meet the requirements, which the Catholic Church places on its priests.

ZEIT ONLINE: Is the censure of Bishop Williamson which has been issued by the General Superior of the SSPX enough?

Mueller: No, this is not enough. After removal of the excommunication, Bishop Williamson is under the authority of the Pope - not that of his superiors. The Holy Father will decide what happens with the bishop. I recommend the SSPX free themselves from such persons.

ZEIT ONLINE: You have banned Bishop Williamson from institutions in your diocese banned. How did it happen?

Muller: It was a rather symbolic act, with which I wanted to show that the Catholic Church has nothing to do with Williamson’s theories and also with anti-Semitism. He denied the holocaust in the seminary of Zaitzkofen of the SSPX which is located near Regensburg, have denied the Holocaust. The diocese of Regensburg is distancing themselves.

ZEIT ONLINE: How is it with the seminary Zaitzkofen and Pius Brotherhood in Germany go?

Müller: The SSPX must fully return to the ground of the Catholic Church and recognise the authority of the Pope, the decisions of the Second Vatican Council and recognize existing canon law. If they do, they also accept that the seminary of Zaitzkofen falls under the supervision of the Diocese of Regensburg. The seminary should be closed and the students should go to seminaries in their home countries - if they are suitable for this purpose.

ZEIT ONLINE: So far, the SSPX of regular protests by bishops geschert little. Do you think that this is different now?

Müller: Everything else would be a deception. I have witten a letter to the Vatican and asked for the legal status of the seminary of Zaitzkofen to be verified. Even the Constitution of the SSPX should be critically considered by canon lawyers.

ZEIT ONLINE: What does it mean for the SSPX, if they really unconditionally recognize the authority of the Pope?

Müller: The priests who were consecrated illegally, have no more obligation to obey their bishops, but onlythe Pope. A French bishop of the SSPX us at Rome, of the special teaching his group to follow - this is absurd. A bishop's office should not be misused for speaking personal political views to the detriment of the Church.

ZEIT ONLINE: The representatives of the SSPX have following the lifting of the excommunication have shown themselves not exactly grateful- alongside anti-Semitic statements were also calls to the Vatican to take back reforms of the Second Vatican Council.

Mueller: It seems to me as if there are within the SSPX still strong reservations against the Second Vatican Council. If the group does not keep their promises to the Pope, it working under a false pretense.

ZEIT ONLINE: Can the SSPX be easily integrated into the Catholic Church?

Müller: The theological views of SSPX deviate in part from the Catholic Church. And politically, they are for ideas, which we reject. In France, there are links of the SSPX to the extreme right. From these the SSPX must clearly dissociate themselves.

ZEIT ONLINE: What is now going to happen to the SSPX bishops after the excommunication?

Müller: The illegal Episcopal consecration canot lead to a receipt of office. The bishop is a minister of unity. The four Archbishop Lefebvre consecrated bishops do not have the aptitude for this office.

ZEIT ONLINE: What do you expect now from the bishops of the SSPX?

Müller: The four bishops of the SSPX should all resign and in political and no longer comment on ecclesiastical policy issues. They should lead an exemplary life as a simple priest and chaplain as part of the reparation for the damage that the schism has caused.

Substantial developments today in the SSPX - Vatican negotiations

KATH.NET - Katholischer Nachrichtendienst

UPDATE from 19.00 clock: a new statement from the SSPX: "The desire for further clarifications could usher in a new series of meeting" - The Vatican plans to offer a personal prelature

The Vatican on Wednesday evening consulted with the leadership of the SSPX on the progress of the ecclesiastical unity efforts. The prefect of the Congregation of the Faith, Cardinal William Levada, gave the Superior of the Priestly Society of St. Pius X, Bernard Fellay, in a detailed interview at the headquarters of his curial body, the official response of the Pope.

Benedict XVI had informed Levada and the Secretary of the Congregation, Luis Francisco Ladaria on Saturday of his decision on the course of dialogue with the traditionalists. It focuses on the so-called doctrinal preamble, which had been submitted by he Vatican to the SSPX, after one and a half years of expert consultations, as a basis for agreement. It is not clear yet, whether and and with what modifications, Fellay will accept this preamble- also unknown is the vote of the Pope.

The Vatican had handed over to the SSPX in mid September 2011 at the end of the theological discussions a document for signature concerning teaching and interpretation principles of Catholic doctrine. . This maintained fidelity to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, including the statements of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965).

The first two answers given by the traditionalists had been assessed by the Vatican as inadequate. A third letter from Fellay from mid-April, was discussed by the meeting of the Cardinals of the Congregation of the Faith on the 16 May and submitted to the Pope for a decision.

At the same time the Congregation of the decoupled discussions with Fellay from the three other traditionalist bishops who were also illegally ordained in 1988 by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre (1905-1991). These three, among them the Holocaust denier Richard Williamson, had ruled out an agreement with Rome in the near future in principle.

Recent public statements of Fellay have given rise to irritation in Rome that the Vatican no longer demanded from the SSPX the acceptance of the entire Second Vatican Council. In the Vatican, it is said, the complete adoption of the Magisterium of the Catholic Church remain the basis for an end to the breach between Rome and the traditionalists.

Meanwhile, the Rome correspondent of the French Catholic daily newspaper "La Croix" (Thursday) says that the offer document submitted by the Vatican offers to the traditionalists in the event of an agreement a reconciliation in the form of a personal prelature, similar to that of Opus Dei.

However, in the recent response of Fellay, there were still formulations that have been rejected by the Pope. Among other things, there was talk of "errors of the Council".

The newspaper claims to have learned that the document should be published after the agreement, although it had been agreed, not to publish the original one which is now altered by negotiations.

Now the next stage will be for Fellay to accept the changes made by the Vatican. It is not unlikely, that he asked on Wednesday at the Levada meeting for a renewed period of reflection for the SSPX. The spokesman of the French district of the Fraternity, Abbe Alain Lorand said, then told the press that an answer is scheduled in one week to 10 days. At the meeting of Wednesday, there had been just one more step in a process. In the event of a settlement, Vatican has said that it wishes to raise the SSPX to the rank of a personal prelature. A draft was also presented at the meeting.

UPDATE:The Vatican expects a response during the month of July from the SSPX to its recent settlement proposal. The Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said on Thursday to reporters. After discussions between Cardinal William Levada with the Superior General of the Priestly Society of St. Pius X. on Wednesday evening, the "ball is now in the traditionalists' park. They would need to decide whether they agreed with the Vatican's assessment of its response in April, according to Lombardi.

He would not provide substantive information as to whether the response was "positive" and thus an agreement was possible.

Update from 19.00 clock

The General House of the SSPX on Thursday evening also released a statement confirming the meeting in Rome. During this meeting, Bishop Fellay according to the SSPX heard the statements and notes of Cardinal Levada. Fellay laid out the "difficulties in matters of faith" that Vatican II and the Novus Ordo Mass apparently cause in his opinion apparently. "The desire for further clarifications could lead to a new series of interviews . At this meeting, the desire was expressed to continue the conversation," it says further in the statement.

SSPX fail in their attempt to sue politician for libel

Keine Verleumdung der Piusbruderschaft: Ermittlungen gegen Burger eingestellt / Bedauern statt Freude - Neue Rottweiler Zeitung Online. Nachrichten aus der Region Rottweil.

Beginning of the story can be found here

"Their investigations have not given the Rottweil Prosecutor's Office apparently sufficient cause for legal action so the case against me for defamation of the German District Superior of the SSPX, Franz Schmidberger, has been set aside," Burger wrote on Sunday.

The Rottweil City and District Councillor Burger had to defend himself because of the contents of a letter to the press. As he was angry over what he sees as completely uncritical reports in the local daily newspaper about the dedication of the church of the ultra-conservative SSPX in Sulgen, Burger wrote a letter to the editor about the "Communion of Saints" as he called the Society. He incurred a criminal complaint from Schmidberger.

The Rottweil Prosecutor's Office interrogated Berger in the meantime, the investigation being set aside on 6th June. Those who think that Burger was pleased are simply wrong. Rather, the long time chairman of the Rottweil area Green Party says: "That it is not now coming to trial, I regret. As it would become a matter of public record what nasty right-wing sectarians work mischief in our locality."

Burger alludes to the newly consecrated church of the SSPX. And their leaders and members with this choice of words will probably be upset. What is good is also intention and calculation.

For the City and County Councillor, his criticism of the medieval-looking theological mindset of the SSPX is not so much in the foreground, as he further explained All German bishops distanced themselves clearly from the SSPX, says Burger. "Like other questionable sects, they are still legitimized by religious freedom." Burger condemned "that the secular political attacks of Schmidberger, his reactionary SSPX and its bishops – among them Holocaust denier Richard Williamson – in our polity to date go unpunished by the state. " 

Schmidberger has argued in various publications of the Society against adopting large parts of the constitutionally protected human rights, says Burger. In his essay, "Principles of a Christian social order", 2007 published in the journal, Civitas, Schmidberger formulates the objectives of a theocracy, "which is clearly contrary to the free standing, democratic fundamental order," said the Green politician. Further Burger says "Schmidberger is not the only person to represent this opinion in the SSPX".

Other SSPX members such as Rafael Hüntelmann (Cathcon- a philosopher and not a priest as far as I can see) and Marc Grensbittel (a priest) have repeatedly called for the repeal of key rights such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion or the equal treatment provisions of the Basic Law. " The Green Party member concludes: "Had representatives of non-Christian religions formulated such theories in our country, they would have been dubbed by the media long ago as preachers of hatred and be banned or, at least, monitored by the Constitutional Protection Office."

Each SSPX bishop now has their own negotiation with Rome- URGENT

Vatican Radio - Holy See Press Office: communiqué on SSPX:

"Communiqué from the Press Office of the Holy See

As anticipated by news agencies, the Ordinary Session of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith met May 16, 2012 and discussed, among other things, the issue of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X (SSPX).

In particular, the Session considered the text of the reply of His Excellency Bishop Bernard Fellay, received April 17, 2012. A few observations were formulated, which shall be taken into consideration in further discussions between the Holy See and the SSPX.

In view of the positions taken by the three other bishops of the SSPX, their situation must be treated separately and individually"