Boston Globe: Card. O’Malley on Pope Benedict, SSPX

Someone from The Boston Globe alerted me to coverage of Card. O’Malley’s comments about the SSPX and Bp. Williamson’s controversial comments.

O’Malley defends pope, apologizes to Jews

Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley of Boston is praising Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to lift the excommunication of four traditionalist bishops, saying the move is a step toward "unity and reconciliation" within Catholicism. But the cardinal also describes the statements denying the Holocaust by one of the bishops (Richard Williamson, shown above) as "outrageous," says, "it certainly raises questions as to the caliber of the leadership that the Society (of Saint Piux X) has," [Wow… I think we too should be pretty humble about that aspect.] and, in a novel defense of the pope’s actions, says, "it underscores the importance for the Holy Father to have increasing influence over those communities.” O’Malley offers an apology of sorts, saying, "We are very sorry that the people in the Jewish community have been so pained and outraged by Bishop Williamson’s statements," and he repudiates Holocaust denial, saying, "It is very important for us to always remember the Holocaust so that such an atrocity could never take place again."

The full piece and the entire interview is here.