Deflecting news is a major gimmick in communications strategies. Is it what the focus on Holocaust denier Bishop Williamson tries to do? By concentrating most of their coverage on the extreme case of Williamson the press takes the risk of neglecting that the other bishops rewarded by Pope Benedict XVI’s decision are as dangerous for democratic values, human decency, interreligious dialogue and religious freedom as his arch-conservative but less vocally anti Semitic partners.
The Lefèbvrists have been associated since the outset of their schism with the most brutal and hard-headed rightwing extremists in Europe and in Latin America, the most prone to anti-Semitism as well, like Videla’s dictatorship in Argentina. Their extremism was well known to all and in the first place to the Vatican hierarchy.
Therefore the Pope’s decision cannot be described as a “communications mistake” or justified by a contrite “I did not know”. The controversy should not die if Williamson recants or Pope Benedict XVI succeeds in making him say “I am sorry for the distress” caused not only to the Pope (what he already did) but first and foremost to the Jewish community. This decision has to be put in a wider context.
In a column published on February 1st in the Buenos Aires progressive daily Pagina 12, Horacio Verbitsky, the leading expert on the role of the Catholic church in Argentina insists that “the Holocaust denial by Williamson is only the most strident aspect of an episode that goes much beyond this ex-Anglican priest”.
Indeed, the “lifting” of the excommunication is seen as a victory by the Lefèbvrists to the extent that it implies that the “official Church” comes closer to their vision instead of forcing the schismatic bishops to make amends and return to the fold.
Pope Benedict has reeemphasied his opposition to Holocaust denial and his denunciation of anti-Semitism but some of his moves since his inauguration are creating an atmosphere that opens a wide space for the revisionists of all stripes. “Pope Benedict, recalls Horacio Verbitsky, authorized the reestablishment of the prayer for the conversion of the Jews on Holy Friday so that the Jews can get out of their darkness”.
This example shows how journalists have to be careful and strive to provide the whole picture, instead of letting one spectacular issue dominate and obfuscate the other aspects of a story. Some Catholic media have focused most of their attention on Williamson not only because they sincerely considered his views as outrageous and hurting basic values but also because his case might provide a way out for a Pope with an excuse from the Holocaust denier.
Most Catholic writers still fear to question and criticize the Pope. Even more of them are afraid of linking this evolution to the reign of John Paul II that led the Church on such a conservative path that it was bound to lead to this kind of ethical dead end.
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