Holocaust denial controversy

An excommunicated traditionalist bishop (Richard Williamson) from the controversial Society of St. Pius X, who minimalized and denied the atrocities of the Holocaust, was welcomed back into the Church by Pope Benedict XVI on January 21, 2009.

This has caused a stir- the German Chancellor demanded that the Vatican clearly state the harm of denying the Holocaust. This the Pope has done more than once.

Some (such as the Jewish radio talk show host Steve Malzberg) are not satisfied. Malzberg complained about the lifting of the Bishop's excommunication on his show on February 3. He suggested that perhaps it should not have been lifted at all, due to his Holocaust statements.

However, his excommunication- and its lifting- bore absolutely no relation to his Holocaust statements. It is not usually the Church's practice to excommunicate over statements or actions unless they conflict directly with the teachings and laws of the Church. Bishop Williamson was excommunicated because he accepted ordination against papal orders.
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0900516.htm
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