Angelqueen.org

[servitium]

Angelqueen Exclusive

What's the status on Bishop Williamson?

Or: How to get sucked up and ejected by a global cyclone, then dust yourself off and go happily with God

I spoke earlier today with Bishop Williamson for the first time since he was so abruptly whisked away to his secure and somewhat undisclosed location across the pond.

What I immediately picked up on was how lighthearted and “chipper” (his term) he sounded. This was truly refreshing, as before I was able to contact him, I was concerned that the events of earlier this year or the following relocation might have taken a toll on him in a personal sense. Thankfully this was not at all the case. In fact just the opposite – he was as jovial and laidback as I’vei ever heard him; more so even.

To ensure that my impressions wasn’t due to simply catching him at a good time, I pried further in every which way I could (without coming across as overtly nosey) to discover if the general well-being I was attributing to him was misconstrued on my part. After sufficient interrogation, it became clear to me that His Excellency most certainly is doing very well and is in very good spirits.

He related that he’s “very well taken care of,” “among friends” and on a personal level, he’s very content with his circumstances. He indicated that although he would be happy anywhere where he can labor in the Lord’s garden (and that he would probably be happier with a larger plot in that garden) - one of the welcome consequences of his “relocation” was being his native country, which he said he loves. He offers many Masses and prays much.

I couldn’t help coming away with the impression that His Excellency was not altogether unlike a high-ranking officer in a corporation who escaped the stresses of corporate management for some quality time in the tropics. Or perhaps a hardened war veteran on some well deserved R&R.

I’m not sure if it’s intentional on his part, or just a natural virtue of his character, but he was as always (and as most who know him will attest), very disarming and easy to converse with. I always start off with him in the demeanor of a Catholic lay person speaking to a Catholic bishop but quickly wind up in the demeanor of a Catholic lay-person having an interesting conversation with good-natured friend over a beer. I blame my inability to maintain formalities entirely on him.

Despite the fact that we hadn’t spoken since His Excellency became the global flaming effigy and unwitting patron saint of multinational SSPX detractors’ efforts to derail the lifting of the excommunications, we didn’t speak much about all of that. Suffice to say that when we did touch on it, I picked up not a single inkling of him having a single drop of animosity toward anyone over the colossal FUBAR. Any disagreements he had with anyone (whether in the SSPX or amongst the rest of the millions) were purely cerebral. Though he should have every right to feel bitter or indignant over being set-up, sandbagged then dragged around in such a way, he’s not at all. Not a trace vindictiveness or even righteous indignation, he simply had a bone to pick with them strictly on an intellectual level.

Amazing.

I told His Excellency that his writings on Dinoscopus over the last several months were all, nearly universally, well received, and that my only problem with them was his regular use of Heiner’s forum to plug Beethoven. He then asked what my particular issues were with the venerable Ludwig, so I told him that I was given to Baroque, and never cared for all of that “big,” pomp ridden, pretentious orchestral, Northern European stuff - though I could understand why a cultured Englishman such as himself would go for that type of thing. I didn’t mention that Beethoven was extremely piano-centric and that I absolutely deplore piano music.

Perhaps I shouldn’t have said all that, because he then immediately declared me heretic. That’s not good, because although I’m ignorant of what canon says about being so directly declared a heretic by a Catholic bishop, I believe I may now be excommunicated. However, the good news is that there’s a chance that it may be lifted, because I discovered that he, like me, loves Vivaldi. This may be grounds for future doctrinal discussions. Of course I’ll first insist on the reinstatement of the traditional baroque to the state it was before the modernists had their way with it during the classical period.

The next time we speak I’ll let him know that despite my reservations, I will try to interpret Beethoven in the light of tradition.

So, to sum up, His Excellency was as enlightening, as plucky and as mirthful (as usual, he brought me to laughter on several occasions) as ever. His resilience was inspiring, and his lightheartedness was infectious, to the point where I've been in a lighthearted mood since speaking with him.

God be with you Bishop Williamson.

[And now...]

[kstewskis]

Wonderful!

I hope this great article eases any fears, concerns, or what have you regarding Bishop Williamson's current status. It sounds like he is doing well. Let's continue to keep him in our prayers.

Thanks Serv.
_________________
WWSPPXD: What would St Pope Pius X do?

[rp52]

Serv,
Thank you for performing an act of charity that probably has meant more to His Excellency than even you can imagine. For most of us we would either be sitting on the pity pot or sniping everyone (well, at least I would). He has shown more Christian virtue by following orders from a superior than ANYONE in the world today. Being an almost retired school teacher, I started thinking what's wrong with being nosy!!! Thank you for filling us in on Bishop Williamson. The good Archbishop Lefebvre knew how to pick holy, humble priests to raise to the episcopy.

[Jean]

LET'S HEAR IT FOR FAITH--FULL BISHOP WILLIAMSON:"AD MULTOS ANNOS!!!"
Deo Gratias!...
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Petertherock]

Thank you serv for that! Great interview!
_________________
Darryl
Ut In Omnibus Glorificetur Deus

[Clarebw]

Great report, serv.

Though, I can't help wondering if it was really Bishop Williamson you spoke to, or a soundalike. Better see what TIA has to say...
_________________
http://z10.invisionfree.com/Ignis_Ardens

[tomm]

Thanks for the news Serv. I first met HE when he would visit our then Mission in Syr. NY. as a priest offering Mass upstairs at our union hall around 1986. My how things have changed since then! Glad to hear HE is doing well and as always is in our thoughts and prayers. VIVA CHRISTO REY! T Massett

[cantatedomino]

[cantatedomino]

I just knew it. Thanks for the report. Let's pray for his return to us, when the Lord sees fit.

[christusvincit]

Thanks very much for that great interview. He is at peace because he has the courage of his convictions, something so few people have in this modern age of liberalism. The worst sin in the liberal bible is fear of offending someone. But, like every rule, there is an exception. The exception is Catholicism, especially the traditional variety.

I first had the pleasure of meeting Bishop Williamson in the spring of 1991 when he was conferring Confirmations at St. Jude Chapel in Eddystone, PA. The coordinator of the chapel had asked me to photograph the event. I was worried about what HE would say when I asked him if it was OK to take photos during the Mass, etc. I needn't have been. He was very kind and cooperative. After the Mass, he even posed for photos with anyone who wanted to do so.

God bless Bishop Williamson. We need many more men like him.

[TKGS]

[Oremus pro invicem]

Thanks be to God that there is nothing to the divisions and animosity that so many are proclaiming. Let this report put an end to such calumnies and divisive talk.

Please convey our prayers and sacrifices for His Excellency.

[SLCFranciscan]

Every day I pray a rosary for Bishop Williamson and lately I have been adding prayers for his safety. He is a courageous and brilliant man. I do not suppose I will ever have an opportunity to meet him, but I am happy to offer several prayers for him daily.

[cantatedomino]

[PrayTheRosary]

I would have been extremely surprised to hear that Bishop W was anything but the way Servitium found him. Why would he not be? The burden of continual international travel has been lifted from his shoulders, and he can now pray, read, write, study, and enjoy music to his heart's content in peace and quiet while enjoying being in his homeland.... sounds wonderful to me!

[SLCFranciscan]

I also pray for Bishop Fellay and all of the bishops. It is the first thing I do each morning.

[AndyB]

A question: how to write to His Excellency? Should I just write a letter and address it to him at the Society's priory in London hoping it will get forwarded to His Excellency?