German appeals court affirms conviction of breakaway bishop for Holocaust denial
April 11, 2014
A German court has denied Bishop Richard Williamson’s appeal of his conviction for denying the Holocaust.
The traditionalist bishop was convicted in 2010 for statements he made in a Swedish television interview, violating a German law that bans Holocaust-denial. That conviction was overturned on procedural grounds, but Bishop Williamson was again convicted, and fined €1,800 ($2,400), last year. An appeals court has now upheld that conviction.
Bishop Williamson’s original statements questioning the Holocaust, made in 2008, caused a furor because they were broadcast at the time when Pope Benedict XVI lifted the excommunication on four bishops of the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX), including Bishop Williamson. He has subsequently been dismissed from the SSPX because of his persistent refusal to obey orders from his superiors.
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Further information:
- Court Rejects Holocaust-Denying Bishop's Appeal (AP)
- Bishop Williamson convicted again after re-trial for denying Holocaust (CWN, 1/16/13)
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