Cardinal Vlk criticizes Pope for reinstatement of British bishop

Czech Cardinal Miloslav Vlk has criticized Pope Benedict XVI for his decision to lift the excommunication of Bishop Richard Williamson. The British bishop has publicly denied the use of gas chambers during World War Two and the scale of the Holocaust. On Saturday, Lidové noviny reported that cardinal Miloslav Vlk spoke out against the Pope’s decision to reinstate Bishop Williamson on his website, saying the step had been taken ‘too lightly’. Cardinal Vlk added that, as a Catholic bishop, he categorically condemned anti-Semitism. On January 24, the Vatican reinstated Bishop Williamson, who had been excommunicated for 20 years. The move drew criticism from Jewish leaders, and some within the Catholic Church.

Author: Rosie Johnston