Richard Williamson, 8th March 1940 - 29th January 2025
A courageous cleric who never shied away from speaking - and practising - his truth, for which he was twice excommunicated, died last Tuesday. Catholic traditionalism has lost Bishop Richard Williamson, thirteen years after its leading voice, Society of St Pius X, became lost to him. He fought on regardless, often straying into the bad-lands of right-wing politics, often though he must have known in advance what the consequences would be. His last Eleison Comments column, dated 14th December, was on the subject of Russia and the “rotten” west. But there will be no more columns. A communique to the recipients of his list states:
He had suffered a cerebral haemorrhage during the evening of Friday 24th January when he was taken to hospital. He spent his final days in a peaceful though declining state, surrounded by clergy and faithful continuously praying at his bedside for the intercession of the Blessed Mother to whom he had been so devoted throughout his life and whom he credited for leading him to the Holy Catholic faith in his twenties.
