Bishop Williamson Apologizes

In the wake of the firestorm caused by his remarks on Swedish TV (see "Does the Pope Need a Lesson in P.R.?"), Bishop Richard Williamson of the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) has written a formal letter of apology to Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos, who has managed the day-to-day details of the negotiations with SSPX to lift the excommunications of the four bishops and, eventually, to end the schism.

The apology is dated January 28, 2009, and the text below is from the traditionalist website Rorate Caeli:

To His Eminence Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos

Your Eminence

Amidst this tremendous media storm stirred up by imprudent remarks of mine on Swedish television, I beg of you to accept, only as is properly respectful, my sincere regrets for having caused to yourself and to the Holy Father so much unnecessary distress and problems.

For me, all that matters is the Truth Incarnate, and the interests of His one true Church, through which alone we can save our souls and give eternal glory, in our little way, to Almighty God. So I have only one comment, from the prophet Jonas, I, 12:

"Take me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you; for I know it is because of me that this great tempest has come upon you."

Please also accept, and convey to the Holy Father, my sincere personal thanks for the document signed last Wednesday and made public on Saturday. Most humbly I will offer a Mass for both of you.

Sincerely yours in Christ

+Richard Williamson

In the words of Fr. John Zuhlsdorf, "He manned-up." To be honest, given Bishop Williamson's history of such remarks, I did not expect such an apology, and I have suspected that, when a final reconciliation between SSPX and Rome occurs, that Bishop Williamson might not accept it.

I am very happy, as every Catholic of good will should be, to have been shown to be wrong about the first part (the apology), and I hope that all readers will join me in a Devout Exercise for the Unity of the Church in the hopes that I will be proved wrong about the second, and that the Society of Saint Pius X, whole and entire, will reenter into full communion with the Catholic Church.

Never underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit to work changes in men's hearts.