In brief
Richard Williamson, the notorious British priest affiliated with a breakaway Catholic sect and known for his antisemitic remarks and Holocaust denial, passed away on Wednesday in Margate, England, at 84. His passing, following a cerebral hemorrhage, was confirmed by the Society of St. Pius X, an organization he strongly identified with. This traditionalist sect was founded in 1970 by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, who was critical of the changes introduced by the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, including the church's stance against antisemitism.
Williamson was initially ordained as a bishop by the Society of St. Pius X, but was excommunicated by the Vatican in 1988. His controversial views resurfaced after a 2008 interview on Swedish television, where he denied the Holocaust. This led Pope Benedict XVI to reinstate him in January 2009 in a bid to heal internal divisions, but his reinstatement quickly backfired as his interview gained widespread circulation. Despite his troubles, Williamson remained a prominent figure in the Society until his death.
