The four Bishops, who by the way, were elevated to that status in a manner not sanctioned by the Church, had been excommunicated in the 1988 for their part in supporting the Society of St. Pius X. This Society was formed in 1970 in protest to the reforms of the Second Vatican Council.
In short, the Pope's explanation for removing the excommunications of the four Bishops stemmed from the fact that he had rehabilitated them. I took this to mean that he had somehow brainwashed them into recanting their affrontations to the Church, thereby accepting the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, one of which was that God loves everyone, even those "who have not yet received the Gospel" (I believe this to be an exact translation taken from the papers issued by the SVC), and is generally regarded as the Church's efforts to reach out to Jews and Muslims.
Not wanting to believe this outrageous story, I googled Bishop Williamson. The first link that came up regarding the Bishop took me to the Huffington Post's website. There, I read another article which basically confirmed what I had read in the Times. There was also a video of a recent interview with Bishop Williamson which was held in Sweden.
Now does it really seem that Pope Benedict XVI has rehabilitated this man? I don't think so. Should he have rescinded his excommunication? I don't think so. Any criticism Pope Benedict receives in reference to agreeing with the Bishop's views are deserved. Any criticism His Holiness receives regarding his intentions is also deserved. He is openly moving towards the right, which is moving the Church backwards.
allan
jai guru deva
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