DeLauro, Delahunt Welcome Vatican’s Statement Calling on Bishop Williamson to Retract Comments Denying the Holocaust

Contact: Adriana Surfas (DeLauro) 202-225-3661 Rory Sheehan (Delahunt) 202-225-3111

Washington, DC – U.S. Representatives Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn. -3) and Bill Delahunt (MA-10) issued the following comment on the Vatican's statement calling on Bishop Richard Williamson to take back his statements denying the Holocaust. Last week, DeLauro and Delahunt, joined by nearly 50 Members of Congress, wrote to Pope Benedict XVI to urge his direct repudiation of Bishop Williamson's public denial that the Holocaust occurred.

"We welcome the Vatican Secretariat of State's comments calling on Bishop Richard Williamson to take back his statements denying the Holocaust. In its initial offer to reinstate Bishop William's to communion, the Church's silence on his view that the Holocaust never existed was deeply troubling. The church has to be the leading force in fighting genocide and today's comments make that clear and show it is up to the task."