Outcries follow papal decision to lift excommunications

The decision by Pope Benedict XVI to lift the excommunications of four traditionalist bishops have sparked unprecedented criticisms by Catholics and Jews among others. Some observers are saying this is a defining moment in the pope's four year papacy. Links to some of these stories, as well as statements on a variety of matters by one of the four bishops, Richard Williamson, are listed below.

More to come on NCRonline.org.

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Watch Traditionalist Bishop Williamson deny any Jews were killed in the gas chambers.

Bishop Williamson: "Almost no girl should go to any university."

Bishop Williamson: Trousers "are an assault upon woman's womanhood and so they represent a deep-lying revolt against the order willed by God."

Listen to Traditionalist Bishop Williamson deny that airplanes took down the Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001. Meanwhile, he says, a police state is taking over Europe and the United States.

Late Archbishop Lefebvre once said: "Muslims will kidnap your wives, your daughters...We cannot co-habitate with Muslims."