January 29, 2009) Bishop Bernard Fellay, superior-general of the Society of St. Pius
X, publicly apologized for statements regarding the Holocaust made by one of the society's
bishops, and reported that the prelate has been forbidden to speak further on the
issue. Bishop Richard Williamson, in an interview taped in November, but aired last
Wednesday on Swedish television, claimed that historical evidence denies the gassing
of Jews in Nazi concentration camps. Days later Pope Benedict XVI lifted the excommunication
of Bishop Williamson, along with Bishop Fellay and two others, who were ordained bishops
by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre in 1988 without papal permission. The act was to be
a step toward healing the division between the society and the Vatican that resulted
from the ordinations. "It is evident that a Catholic bishop cannot speak with ecclesial
authority if it is not a question of faith and morals," said Bishop Fellay. "Our fraternity
does not claim any authority over other questions." "With great sadness we acknowledge
the extent to which the violation of this mandate has damaged our mission," he continued.
"The statements of Bishop Williamson do not reflect in any way the position of our
society." Bishop Fellay said that until further notice Bishop Williamson has been
prohibited from speaking on these matters. The superior-general asked "for the forgiveness
of the Supreme Pontiff, and of all people of good will, for the dramatic consequences
of this act," which said were "not acceptable."