 But other Catholics, especially those of progressive stance, said they were surprised that the Pope had acted in such a positive way toward bishops holding such reactionary positions.The inclusion of Bishop Williamson in the measure was particularly controversial, because some of his remarks (which the Holy See claimed not to have been aware of at the time) were seen as constituting Holocaust denial.The lifting of his excommunication presented problems for Catholic-Jewish relations, culminating in the Chief Rabbinate of Israel severing ties with the Holy See on 28 January 2009 in protest.