Meanwhile, in our other “What a Crappy Month to Be Catholic” News…

…there appears to be a number of surprising and good fruits coming from Benedict’s moves to reconcile the SSPX.

First and foremost, an actual purge of anti-semitism appears to be underway in the SSPX. They even kicked out a notoriously nutty priest. And Williamson just got removed from his seminary post. Apparently, “I’m just so darn committed to the Truth that I got carried away and embarrassed the Church” schtick was not a big sell. Anyhow, the message appears to be getting through that this crap has to go.

Meanwhile, on the much less important, but still significant PR front, the Vatican appears to be getting something of a clue that you don’t just go around lifting excommunications on Holocaust deniers without expecting raised eyebrows.

Now, my take on it is that Rome is really guilty of blowing a teaching opportunity, not of doing anything morally questionable. Guys like Andrew Sullivan have a field day with things like this, and that’s why Rome needs to pre-empt them with catechesis about what is and is not happening. For instance, one could ask Sullivan if he is excommunicated. When he replies “No”, then the next obvious question is: “So does it therefore follow that Rome endorses your homosexual activism?”

(Hint: the answer is “no”).

And therefore, Andy, when Rome lifts an excommunication on Williamson which had nothing to do with his nutty views on the Holocaust, what does that mean about Rome’s views of the Holocaust?

As should be clear from the abundant instruction that has been (belatedly) coming from Rome this week, it means absolutely nothing. Rome lifted the excommunication of the Orthodox 40 years ago. That doesn’t mean the Churches have re-united.

In short, the SSPX thing means we are open to reconciliation. And, so far, the fruits have been pretty good. The SSPX is sending a message to the nutjobs in their midst the Jew-hatred will not be tolerated. Williamson has shut his trap, and the good people who are merely Traditionalist, but not Rad Trad kooks are looking with hope for reunion with Mother church. I think Benedict did a good thing and made a great sacrifice to do it. Thanks Holy Father!