Pope personally explains decision to extend olive branch to SSPX bishops

Vatican City, Mar 12, 2009 / 10:39 am (CNA).- A letter from Pope Benedict XVI to the bishops of the world, in which he explains the reasons he chose to lift the excommunications of the four bishops illicitly ordained by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, including Bishop Richard Williamson, was officially made public this afternoon in Rome.

Addressing his brother bishops, Pope Benedict’s letter reads remarkably like a personal letter about an issue over which he has suffered greatly. He notes that some prelates and faithful reacted to the lifting of the bishops’ excommunication with an understanding of his desire as the Successor of Peter to achieve unity, but others "accused the Pope of wanting to turn back the clock to before the Council," and protested in a way that wounded the Church even more deeply.

"I therefore feel obliged to offer you, dear brothers, a word of clarification, which ought to help you understand the concerns which led me and the competent offices of the Holy See to take this step. In this way I hope to contribute to peace in the Church," the Pope says. (Full story at CNA)