The lifting of the excommunication and Williamson's comments outraged many Jews and Catholics, including bishops in Pope Benedict's native Germany.

VOA: standard.2009.03.12

Mr Duncan Smith has acknowledged the result of the Lords' vote could depend on independent crossbenchers, including leading bishops who have criticised the plans.

BBC: Lord Ashdown to vote against coalition benefits cap

What is the point of giving the pope supreme jurisdiction over the entire Church - including the right to depose bishops - if he never uses it?

BBC: Pope Benedict XVI will step down at the end of the month

The bill was backed by several religious organizations, including the American Jewish Committee, the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops, the National Association of Evangelicals and the Jewish Federations of North America.

WSJ: House clears disaster aid for houses of worship