Superior General of the SSPX: Bp. Williamson forbidden to speak on political or historical matters

Rorate Caeli ^ | Tuesday, January 27, 2009 | Bishop Bernard Fellay

[narses]

Communiqué of the Superior General of the Society of St. Pius X,

Bishop Bernard Fellay 

It has come to our attention that Bishop Richard Williamson, a member of our Society, granted an interview to a Swedish network. In this interview, he also commented on historical issues, especially on the genocide of Jews by the National-Socialist regime. It is obvious that a bishop speaks with religious authority solely on matters of faith and morals. Our Society claims no authority over historical or other secular matters. 

The mission of the Society is the offering and restoration of authentic Catholic teaching, as handed down in the dogmas. We are known, accepted, and appreciated worldwide for this. 

We view this matter with great concern, as this exorbitance has caused severe damage to our religious mission. We apologize to the Holy Father and to all people of good will for the trouble it has caused.

It must remain clear that those comments do not reflect in any way the attitude of our community. That is why I have forbidden Bishop Williamson to issue any public opinion on any political or historical matter until further notice.

The constant accusations against the Society have also apparently served the purpose of discrediting our mission. We will not allow this, but will continue to preach Catholic doctrine and to offer the Sacraments in the ancient rite.

Menzingen, January 27, 2009 

+ Bishop Bernard Fellay

Superior General

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From the website of the German District of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X (FSSPX / SSPX) (27.01.2009, 1620 CET)

[narses]

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Obama Says A Baby Is A Punishment

Obama: “If they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby.”

[nickcarraway]

That’s very sensible. I wonder if he will be tried in Germany.

[livius]

Good move! Williamson (an Anglican convert) totally messed up reunion attempts about a year or two ago. Removing his ravings from the picture will be a great help.

[narses]

Note of the District Superior for Germany of the SSPX

As District Superior of the Society [of Saint Pius X] in Germany, I am very troubled by the words pronounced by Bishop Williamson here in this country. 

The banalization of the genocide of the Jews by the Nazi regime and of its horror are unacceptable for us.

The persecution and murder of an incalculable number of Jews under the Third Reich touches us painfully and they also violate the Christian commandment of love for neighbor which does not distinguish ethnicities.

I must apologize for this behavior and dissociate myself from such a view.

Such dissociation is also necessary for us because the father of Archbishop Lefebvre died in a KZ [concentration camp] and because numerous Catholic priests lost their lives in Hitler's concentration camps.

Stuttgart, January 27, 2009

Father Franz Schmidberger

Father Schmidberger was the Superior-General of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X at the time of the consecrations of 1988.

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From the website of the German District of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X (FSSPX / SSPX) (27.01.2009, 2235 CET)

[Antoninus]

I have always thought that Williamson would be the stumbling block for full reconciliation. I’m glad to see the other SSPX bishops distancing themselves from his lunacy.

[marshmallow]

My opinions of Williamson and Fellay are moving in exactly opposite directions. Williamson is right out there on the fringe while Fellay seems to be putting into practice Shakespeare's famous words......."There is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.....". Good for him. His press release in response to the lifting of the excommunications was most appropriate.

I think Fellay has bent over backwards in the past to try and accomodate Williamson for the sake of SSPX unity, but now the excommunications have been lifted, I think he realizes that Williamson's outbursts are a scandal and need to be addressed.

Williamson is presently vying with Blago in Illinois for my "can't stop watching train wreck in motion" attention.

[Dominick]

think Fellay has bent over backwards in the past to try and accomodate Williamson for the sake of SSPX unity,

I am very pleased for the recent events. I am hoping to enjoy the wider availability of the Older order of the Mass by the SSPX.

I also have a much better opinion of Fellay of the past several months.