is indeed a matter of Faith, in the sense that to allow lies to be perpetrated to the ruin of human society is a dereliction of duty on the part of the hierarchy. It is their role to teach and correct error.
A bishop's teaching office concerns the teaching of the Truth of the Catholic faith, which by its nature is 100% certain, as it has been revealed by God, who can neither deceive nor be deceived. The historicity of the h0Ɩ0cαųst, or the true nature of the events of 9-11 is not a matter of Truth, but rather a matter of opinion, more or less grounded in evidence. Bishop Williamson may have been, and may be, correct in his opinion on these matters, but he could also be wrong. It is important not to confuse that which we
know to be true (because it has been divinely revealed) with that which we
believe to be true, on the basis of observed material evidence. On the first, a bishop has an obligation to speak out, and can not legitimately be silenced by any authority. On the second, a bishop is legitimately subject to the authority his superior, if he has one.
It may be the case that Bishop Williamson's outspokenness on these historical matters was not the only reason he was ejected from the Society, but it was a reason given as justification: "refusing to show due respect and obedience to his lawful superiors." At the time, the SSPX was in real danger of being banned in Germany due to Bishop Williamson's continuing public statements on the matter. While no Catholic bishop or priest should fear sanction for standing up for revealed truth, I fail to see how the refusal to stay silent on a historical matter, which is not an article of faith, is justifiable when failure to do so could result in the destruction of all of the Society's works in Germany, to the real detriment of the souls there who depend upon them.
In any case, I thank you for your welcome. I have lurked for a long time and, despite the conversation I have gotten myself into here, I am not "anti" Bishop Williamson, and would prefer he had not been excluded. However I think that his imprudence provided sufficient grounds for exclusion.