Bishop who denied Holocaust writes to Pope

An English bishop has expressed regret to the pontiff for “distress and problems” caused by his denial of the Holocaust.

Bishop Richard Williamson, who recently denied that six million Jews were murdered during the Holocaust, calls his remarks “imprudent” in a letter posted today on his personal blog.

The bishop also thanks the pope for lifting the excommunication that the Vatican imposed on him 20 years ago. The excommunication had been triggered by his elevation to bishop’s rank by a renegade, ultra-conservative prelate.

Bishop Williamson’s denial of the Holocaust in a recent interview on Swedish TV sparked a storm of protest from Jewish groups and others.