Egan on Williamson

And just like that, our two top stories come together....

As the clock ticks down in Gotham, this afternoon saw Cardinal Edward Egan of New York release the following statement on SSPX Bishop Richard Williamson's comments on the Holocaust and the gas chambers:

“Yesterday, the Vatican condemned in the clearest terms a statement made by an illicitly consecrated Bishop by the name of Richard Williamson in which the evil of the Shoah was questioned or at least minimized. As Archbishop of New York, I add my voice to that of the Holy See and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in rejecting Williamson’s words as hurtful, baseless, and outrageous. It is my prayer that all of our Jewish brothers and sisters understand that we in the Catholic community here in New York hold them in the highest esteem, and look forward to continuing to cooperate with them in countless good works for our community and our nation.”

Holed up at the Society's seminary in Argentina, Williamson -- who apologized to the Pope last week for "having caused [Benedict] so much unnecessary distress" -- isn't talking to reporters.

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