Former SSPX Bishop Richard Williamson Is Dying

Ordained by Abp. Lefebvre in 1988…

Former SSPX Bishop Richard Williamson Is Dying

The Most Rev. Richard Williamson, one of the four bishops consecrated for the Society of St. Pius X (FSSPX) in defiance of ‘Pope’ John Paul II on June 30, 1988, by Abp. Marcel Lefebvre and Bp. Antonio de Castro Mayer, is reportedly near death and may already have died by the time this post is published.

According to Vatican journalist Edward Pentin, the 84-year-old bishop from England was admitted to the hospital yesterday evening on account of a brain hemorrhage and has received extreme unction:

Former SSPX Bishop Richard Williamson, 84, was admitted to hospital yesterday evening with a brain haemorrhage and has received the Sacraments. His most recent public appearance was on Sunday: https://t.co/rcJ8tT23En pic.twitter.com/Spym6tvXUt

— Edward Pentin (@EdwardPentin) January 25, 2025

According to some reports, Bp. Williamson is unconscious and not expected to live:

UPDATE from BW’s channel:

‘There will be no more Eleison Comments or sermons posted.

‘The Bishop is completely unconscious after suffering a haemorrhage in his brain It’s just a matter of time before he goes to his eternal reward.

‘Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for him.’ https://t.co/zp8aJEKjdT

— The WM Review (@TheWMReview) January 25, 2025

Some have claimed the bishop has died already, but this has not been confirmed.

Please pray for Bp. Williamson, that he may die a holy death.

The Vatican declared Williamson excommunicated in 1988 but rescinded the excommunication again in 2009. In 2012, Williamson was expelled from the Society of St. Pius X and has been functioning independently since.

As long-time visitors to this site know, we have been very critical of Bp. Williamson and his dangerous Lefebvrist resistance theology. Of course we stand by our criticism but right now it is the time to ask for prayers for him, that he may die in the state of sanctifying grace, with perfect contrition for his sins and lively virtues of Faith, hope, and charity. Once he has passed, please pray for the repose of his soul.

With Bp. Williamson’s death, the only two still living bishops consecrated by Abp. Lefebvre for the SSPX in 1988 are Bernard Fellay (b. 1958) and Alfonso de Galarreta (b. 1957).

St. Joseph, patron of the dying, assist us at our death!

Image source: YouTube (screenshot)
License: fair use