Archbishop Nichols commends 'beautiful and humble' letter of Pope Benedict

(March 14, 2009) Archbishop Vincent Nichols has commended to all the priests, deacons, religious and laity of the Archdiocese of Birmingham, the letter of Pope Benedict XVI to the Bishops of the Catholic Church, concerning the remission of the excommunication of the four Bishops consecrated by Bishop Lefebvre, issued today, 12 March. The Archbishop of Birmingham described it as: "A beautiful letter characterised by openness, by a deep desire to overcome bitterness and division and by the spirit of humble service." In his letter Pope Benedict explained the real meaning of the lifting of the excommunication of the four Bishops consecrated by Archbishop Lefebvre. Archbishop Nichols emphasised: "Pope Benedict clearly acknowledges the confusion and hurt that this move caused and in particular he regrets the 'open hostility' expressed by some Catholics 'that, after all, might have had a better understanding of the knowledge of the situation'. "The Pope warmly thanks 'our Jewish friends, who quickly helped to clear up the misunderstanding and restore the atmosphere of friendship and trust'.