The government of Argentina has given Bishop Richard Williamson ten days to leave the country or face expulsion. Williamson has been at the centre of an international furor over his denial of the holocaust during WW2. Now he’s not alone in such denials but what has brought his particular hate message to world notice is that he is one of four bishops Pope Benedict has chosen to lift excommunication on.

Barracks in Auschwitz

Barracks in Auschwitz

Argentina accuses Williamson of having lied about his activities, specifically his employment while in the country. They have not shied away from also stating that Williamson’s views have influenced their decision to terminate his welcome in the country. With about 200,000 Jews living in Argentina, the largest Jewish population in Latin America, it is pretty understandable why he would be very unwelcome.

I don’t pretend to understand Roman Catholic politics, I have enough trying to understand Anglican Communion politics (which I don’t). I do however get it that there would be an outcry over this particular person. The Pope claimed that he was unaware of Williamson’s history when the decision was made to include him in the group of priests.

He has since ordered Williamson to unequivocally renounce his views before his rehabilitation as a Roman Catholic Bishop can take place. Something that Williamson has shown no particular interest in doing so. Rather than directly refuse he’s dancing around the issue by claiming that he needs to review the available evidence and if his beliefs are wrong he will say so.

He claims to have based his assertions on reports he read 20 years ago. He has declined a suggestion to actually travel to Auschwitz. That could have something to do with the German’s considering laying hate charges against him. Under current laws, should they lay international charges against him, Britain (his birthplace) would have little choice but to turn him over should that request be made.

I find it hard to believe that he’s been able to hold these beliefs this long and has never been challenged to surrender them. He has had plenty of time to learn differently in his lifetime, he just doesn’t want to. In my little part of the world, had I ever possessed disbelief in the truth of the holocaust that was forever put to bed years ago.

During a discussion at a meeting I was chairing one rather cocky member of the group tried to argue against the holocaust or that the Jews had been exterminated in large numbers. While I sat astounded at the profound ignorance and arrogance of this person I caught sight of another member of the group agitated almost to the point of tears.

This man was not someone easily moved to tears or agitation. He was however a Canadian veteran who had been taken into the camps just after the defeat of Germany. I gave him a moment to compose himself and then asked him to tell us what he was able to. He continued to fight back tears as he described what he had seen. He didn’t witness the gas being turned on, but he had no doubt as to what had been going on there.

I don’t either. Do you?

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