Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Dutch call for apology from Holocaust-denying bishop

The Dutch Foreign Minister has called on the Pope to “explicitly condemn the remarks made by Bishop Richard Williamson concerning the Holocaust".

Maxime Verhagen also called for a public apology from the man at the centre of the row, "for the pain and distress his statements have caused".

A diplomatic row erupted when Bishop Williamson’s excommunication was lifted, because he said in an interview with Swedish TV that only several hundred thousand Jews died in extermination camps and that none died in gas chambers.

"These remarks are not only demonstrably untrue, they are also shocking and offensive to a great many people, particularly at a time when anti-Semitic voices are again being heard in Europe ," according to Verhagen.

The nuncio has "assured he will convey the Netherlands ' position to Rome ", added the minister.

The Pope has distanced himself from Williamson's comments, "but stopped short of naming the bishop," Verhagen stated.

The Vatican did order Williamson to refrain from making any further public statements about the Holocaust.

"That is all very well," Verhagen said, "but the Netherlands believes that Bishop Williamson should also apologise to those he has offended."

The Chief Rabbinate of Israel has already cut ties with the Vatican over the row.
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(Source: RI)