The Cave-In

Inevitably, Bishop Williamson has been punished. Actually, he has been silenced, which is a far better punishment as far as Jewish groups are concerned. What the enemies of the Church could not do on their own has instead been accomplished from within the SSPX itself. Bishop Williamson has been forbidden to speak about "political and historic (sic) matters until further notice" by his superior, Bishop Fellay. You can read the grovelling letter of "apology" that Bishop Fellay sent the Pope here: http://www.catholic.orginternationalinternational_story.php?id=31839

On the one hand, I can see the practical benefit of disciplining Bishop Williamson. It does, after all, place the spotlight on him and takes it away from the SSPX. On the other hand, it sets a terrible and disturbing precedent right out of the gate, namely, that the SSPX will cave to external (i.e., non-Catholic) pressure in order to keep in the Pope's good graces.

As far as I can tell, there was no threat or request by Benedict for the SSPX to come down on Bishop Williamson as quickly and and as seriously as they did. I shudder to think of what will happen in SSPX chapels to the Good Friday prayer and anything else that upsets people.

This "reconciliation" is off to an inauspicious start. I have zero confidence that things will improve.

R. Catesby