Richard Williamson, Controversial Bishop Known for Holocaust Denial, Passes at 84

Richard Williamson, a bishop associated with the Society of St. Pius X, died on February 4, 2025, after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage in Margate, England.

The Rev. Richard Williamson, notorious for his antisemitic remarks and Holocaust denial, has died at the age of 84. His passing was confirmed on Wednesday by the Society of St. Pius X, a traditionalist Catholic sect with which Williamson was prominently affiliated. It occurred in Margate, England, following complications from a cerebral hemorrhage.

Williamson's ordination as a bishop by the Society of St. Pius X in 1988 did not gain recognition from the Vatican, which subsequently excommunicated him along with other members of the sect. Founded by French archbishop Marcel Lefebvre in 1970, the society formed in response to the perceived liberal reforms of the Second Vatican Council, which included a repudiation of antisemitic practices historically rooted in Church doctrine.

Despite his excommunication, Williamson's ties to the Vatican were somewhat restored in January 2009 when Pope Benedict XVI reinstated him, aiming to patch the ongoing rift within the Church. However, this gesture quickly backfired when an interview surfaced, in which Williamson made controversial statements regarding the Holocaust—issues that drew international condemnation and sparked outrage among Jewish groups and communities worldwide.

Notably, Williamson's persistent propagation of antisemitic ideologies overshadowed his attempts at reconciliation with the broader Catholic Church. Both the Vatican's earlier efforts to distance itself from his views and the legacy of his controversial beliefs have left a lasting impact on discussions surrounding doctrinal antisemitism and its challenges within the Church. Williamon's death marks the end of an era filled with controversy and division, leaving questions about how the Catholic Church will continue to navigate such complex issues moving forward.