A procedural error has “saved” Bishop Richard Williamson’s skin.
The controversy that broke out three years ago surrounding the Holocaust denier prelate, shows not signs of abating.
During a visit to Germany, Williamson had denied the Jewish Holocaust had taken place and that the gas chambers and Nazi concentration camps had existed.
He was subsequently jailed for these comments.
Now, however, “just because of a procedural error”, the trial held against the ultraconservative prelate will have to be repeated.
Last July, Williamson was charged with inciting racial hatred and sentenced by the German Court of Regensburg to a 6.500 Euro fine.
The decision was taken by the Nuremburg Court of Appeal, which accepted the petition presented by the lawyers of the 71 year old British cleric who is a member of the Society of Saint Pius X.
The trial will have to pick up from the fist instance stage and the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Regensburg will be able to ask for a remand “on the same criminal charges.”
The sentence has been debated a great deal and a spokesman for the Bavarian city’s public prosecutor’s office immediately announced another request for a remand.
Mgr. Williamson, a formed Anglican who converted to Catholicism, was found guilty of doubting the existence of gas chambers in Nazi concentration camps, in a television interview broadcast in Sweden.
The 71 year old English bishop has a turbulent past. In 1988 he was consecrated bishop Mgr. Lefebvre.
This caused a schism and John Paul II excommunicated him immediately. Twenty years later, in 2009, Benedict XVI revoked the excommunication.
According to Canon law, Williamson was still excluded from full communion with the Church.
But protests against clemency being given to a Holocaust denier skyrocketed.
The Pope said he was in the dark about Williamson’s anti-Jewish sentiment.
The Vatican’s request for the bishop’s retraction, led to an evasive reply by the latter.
The Holy See raised its voice in vain, even going as far as self-criticism for its revocation of the bishop’s excommunication.
Williamson continues to fuel debate.
Meanwhile, Williamson’s case continues to be the subject of much debate.