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HAS THE POPE MADE A MISTAKE? |
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The Muslim world has been enraged by Pope Benedict XVI. The very pope who promised to dialogue with Muslims for the cause of peace seems to have fanned the flames of religious hatred by a speech on the topic of Islam which the pope made at a German university. Here is what one newspaper journalist reported: Pakistan's parliament on Friday unanimously adopted a resolution condemning Pope Benedict XVI for making what it called "derogatory" comments about Islam, and seeking an apology from him for hurting the sentiments of Muslims. The resolution, moved by hardline lawmaker Fazal Karim was supported by both government and opposition lawmakers in the National Assembly or lower house of parliament. Chaudhry Ameer Hussain, speaker of the National Assembly, allowed Karim to move the resolution after Karim said the pope had insulted Islam and the Prophet Muhammad, and hurt the sentiments of the entire Muslim world by making "derogatory remarks." [1] The Vatican however has stated the pope’s remarks about Islam were misunderstood. In another article titled “Vatican Defends Pope’s Comments on Islam,” we read: Pope Benedict XVI did not intend to offend Muslims with remarks about holy war, the Vatican said Thursday, scrambling to defend the pontiff as anger built in the Islamic world over his comments during a trip to Germany. “It certainly wasn’t the intention of the pope to carry out a deep examination of jihad (holy war) and on Muslim thought on it, much less to offend the sensibility of Muslim believers,” said Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi. [2] The furious comments issued by Muslim clerics around the world were triggered by statements the pontiff made in a speech at Regensburg University. The pontiff quoted 14th-century Byzantine emperor Manuel II Paleologos who had said: Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached. [3] Mohammed Mahdi Akef, the leader of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood called for an apology. He stated: “The remarks do not express correct understanding of Islam and are merely wrong and distorted beliefs being repeated in the West.” [4] The leader of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood also expressed hopes that the pope’s “sudden campaign does not reflect a new trend for the Vatican policy toward the Islamic religion.” [5] What is the Vatican Policy towards the Islamic Religion? I find the pope’s speech fascinating. He was simply expressing facts of history by quoting from an Islamic source. However, don’t expect Benedict XVI to initiate a “new trend” that would confront the Islamic world. I would suggest that the controversy created by Pope Benedict’s remarks will only facilitate further dialogue between Islam and the Roman Catholic Church. There are two reasons why I can make such a prediction. First, the Roman Catholic Catechism states: 841 The Church’s relationship with Muslims. The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst who are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day. [6] The Roman Catholic Church supports the idea that the God of Islam is the God of Catholicism. Certainly this view would be a common denominator for the cause of peace. Second, there is a common fascination with Mary the mother of Jesus by both Islam and the Roman Catholic Church. This will be a second great reason to bring Catholicism and Islam closed together. While the pope’s current remarks seem to be divisive, I would suggest time will show the pope and the Catholic Church will soon make amends with Muslims. Watch for a closer unity of Roman Catholicism and Islam in the future. This “peaceful” unified religion will be in the name of Christ but it will be anti-Christian. |
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Muslim Mary |
Islam |
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[1] “Pakistan's Parliament Condemns Pope Benedict XVI,” http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,213923,00.html, September 15, 2006 [2] “Vatican Defends Pope’s Comments on Islam,” http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14843801/ September14, 2006 [3] Ibid [4] Ibid [5] Ibid [6] Catechism of the Catholic Church, (Liberia Editrice Vaticana, Liguoria Publications, Liguoria, MO), 222. |
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