Pope rejects Holocaust denial, urges SSPX to accept Vatican authority

January 28, 2009

Pope Benedict XVI reaffirms his "full and indisputable solidarity" with the Jewish people in mourning the Holocaust, during his regular weekly public audience on January 28. Although the Pontiff did not explicitly mention the fierce controversy over the published remarks by Bishop Richard Williamson denying the severity of the Holocaust, the intent of the Pope's remarks was clear as he pointed to commemorations of the genocidal Nazi drive as "an admonition against oblivion, negation, and reductionism." The Vatican's new YouTube channel drove home the message of solidarity, offering short videos of the Pope's visit to Auschwitz and his talk at a synagogue in Cologne.

The Holy Father did speak about his decision to lift the excommunications of Williamson and three other bishops of the Society of St. Pius X, telling the audience that he took the step as an "act of paternal benevolence" in response to the traditionalists' fervent petitions. "I hope that this gesture of mine will be followed by a prompt commitment on their part to take the further steps necessary to achieve full communion with the Church," he said, "thus showing true faithfulness to, and true recognition of, the Magisterium and authority of the Pope and of Vatican Council II."

 

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Further information:

• The Shoah: an admonition not to forget or deny (VIS)
• Taking the steps necessary for full communion (VIS)
• Holocaust Memorial Day : Benedict XVI in Auschwitz (YouTube)
• Holocaust Memorial Day : Pope in the Cologne Synagogue (YouTube)