Richard Williamson

Pope Francis tries again on traditionalist reconciliation after Benedict XVI failed

By Josephine McKenna — September 23, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI made reconciliation with traditionalist Catholics a top priority, but was roundly criticized when one of the rehabilitated bishops turned out to be a vocal Holocaust denier.

COMMENTARY: Joseph Ratzinger, the last of the traditional popes

By A. James Rudin — February 14, 2013
(RNS) Joseph Ratzinger perhaps will be best remembered as a quiet theologian and intellectual. But he was not, as some critics charge, a ``transitional'' pope.

GUEST COMMENTARY: The Vatican’s strong defense of the Jews

By Philip A. Cunningham — January 28, 2013
(RNS) The head of a schismatic traditionalists recently labeled Jews ``enemies of the Church.'' And while that statement could have sparked an interfaith crisis, it's instead motivated Catholic leaders to directly repudiate him with strongly worded pledges of friendship with Jews.

Vatican: Calling Jews ‘enemies’ of the church is unacceptable

By Alessandro Speciale — January 7, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Catholic Church reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue with Jews after the head of a breakaway conservative group labeled Jews as "enemies of the Church.'' By Alessandro Speciale.

Holocaust-denying Bishop Richard Williamson booted from traditionalist group

By Alessandro Speciale — October 24, 2012

VATICAN CITY (RNS) A traditionalist Catholic breakaway group expelled Bishop Richard Williamson, who in 2009 sparked a major crisis in Jewish-Catholic relations for denying the Holocaust shortly before Pope Benedict XVI readmitted him to the church. By Alessandro Speciale.

Pope tells SSPX traditionalists they must accept Second Vatican Council

By Alessandro Speciale — September 27, 2012

(RNS) Pope Benedict XVI has reportedly told the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) that they must accept the Second Vatican Council, a move that might seal the fate of years of negotiations to bring the group fully back into the Catholic fold. By Alessandro Speciale.

Traditionalist SSPX calls Vatican offer ‘clearly unacceptable’

By Alessandro Speciale — June 26, 2012

VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Catholic traditionalist group SSPX said the Vatican's latest reconciliation offer is "clearly unacceptable,'' a move that comes as Pope Benedict XVI appointed a high-profile American prelate to oversee relations with traditionalists. By Alessandro Speciale.

Vatican offers special solution for conservative splinter group, SSPX

By Alessandro Speciale — June 14, 2012

VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican offered a breakaway traditionalist group a solution to re-enter the Catholic Church, as the final word on negotiations that lasted almost three years seems to be imminent. By Alessandro Speciale.

Vatican says unity with traditionalist SSPX needs ‘further discussions’

By Alessandro Speciale — May 16, 2012

VATICAN CITY (RNS) Reconciliation between the Vatican and a conservative breakaway group will require "further discussions" the Vatican doctrinal office said on Wednesday, while stressing that each member of the group will have to agree on key points of Catholic doctrine, including relationship with the Jews. By Alessandro Speciale.

Traditionalists facing showdown with Vatican

By Tracy Gordon — April 10, 2012

VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI has drawn the ire of many Catholics with its attempt to reconcile with the Society of St. Pius X, a traditionalist breakaway Catholic group. Now, the SSPX's final answer to a Vatican offer of reconciliation is expected within days. By Alessandro Speciale.

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