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Posted on 09/25/2006 4:12:53 PM PDT by NYer
"Lessons of the Past Must Help Us to Seek Paths of Reconciliation"
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, SEPT. 25, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Here is a Vatican translation of the address Benedict XVI delivered today in the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, to leaders of Muslim communities in Italy and ambassadors of Muslim countries accredited to the Holy See.
* * *
Dear Cardinal Poupard,
Your Excellencies,
Dear Muslim Friends,
I am pleased to welcome you to this gathering that I wanted to arrange in order to strengthen the bonds of friendship and solidarity between the Holy See and Muslim communities throughout the world. I thank Cardinal Poupard, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, for the words that he has just addressed to me, and I thank all of you for responding to my invitation.
The circumstances which have given rise to our gathering are well known. I have already had occasion to dwell upon them in the course of the past week. In this particular context, I should like to reiterate today all the esteem and the profound respect that I have for Muslim believers, calling to mind the words of the Second Vatican Council which for the Catholic Church are the Magna Carta of Muslim-Christian dialogue: "The Church looks upon Muslims with respect. They worship the one God living and subsistent, merciful and almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, who has spoken to humanity and to whose decrees, even the hidden ones, they seek to submit themselves wholeheartedly, just as Abraham, to whom the Islamic faith readily relates itself, submitted to God" (declaration "Nostra Aetate," No. 3).
Placing myself firmly within this perspective, I have had occasion, since the very beginning of my pontificate, to express my wish to continue establishing bridges of friendship with the adherents of all religions, showing particular appreciation for the growth of dialogue between Muslims and Christians (cf. Address to the Delegates of Other Churches and Ecclesial Communities and of Other Religious Traditions, April 25, 2005).
As I underlined at Cologne last year, "Interreligious and intercultural dialogue between Christians and Muslims cannot be reduced to an optional extra. It is, in fact, a vital necessity, on which in large measure our future depends" (Meeting with Representatives of Some Muslim Communities, Cologne, Aug. 20, 2005). In a world marked by relativism and too often excluding the transcendence and universality of reason, we are in great need of an authentic dialogue between religions and between cultures, capable of assisting us, in a spirit of fruitful cooperation, to overcome all the tensions together.
Continuing, then, the work undertaken by my predecessor, Pope John Paul II, I sincerely pray that the relations of trust which have developed between Christians and Muslims over several years, will not only continue, but will develop further in a spirit of sincere and respectful dialogue, based on ever more authentic reciprocal knowledge which, with joy, recognizes the religious values that we have in common and, with loyalty, respects the differences.
Interreligious and intercultural dialogue is a necessity for building together this world of peace and fraternity ardently desired by all people of good will. In this area, our contemporaries expect from us an eloquent witness to show all people the value of the religious dimension of life. Likewise, faithful to the teachings of their own religious traditions, Christians and Muslims must learn to work together, as indeed they already do in many common undertakings, in order to guard against all forms of intolerance and to oppose all manifestations of violence; as for us, religious authorities and political leaders, we must guide and encourage them in this direction.
Indeed, "although considerable dissensions and enmities between Christians and Muslims may have arisen in the course of the centuries, the Council urges all parties that, forgetting past things, they train themselves toward sincere mutual understanding and together maintain and promote social justice and moral values as well as peace and freedom for all people" (declaration "Nostra Aetate," No. 3).
The lessons of the past must therefore help us to seek paths of reconciliation, in order to live with respect for the identity and freedom of each individual, with a view to fruitful cooperation in the service of all humanity. As Pope John Paul II said in his memorable speech to young people at Casablanca in Morocco, "Respect and dialogue require reciprocity in all spheres, especially in that which concerns basic freedoms, more particularly religious freedom. They favor peace and agreement between peoples" (No. 5).
Dear friends, I am profoundly convinced that in the current world situation it is imperative that Christians and Muslims engage with one another in order to address the numerous challenges that present themselves to humanity, especially those concerning the defense and promotion of the dignity of the human person and of the rights ensuing from that dignity. When threats mount up against people and against peace, by recognizing the central character of the human person and by working with perseverance to see that human life is always respected, Christians and Muslims manifest their obedience to the Creator, who wishes all people to live in the dignity that he has bestowed upon them.
Dear friends, I pray with my whole heart that the merciful God will guide our steps along the paths of an ever more authentic mutual understanding. At this time when for Muslims the spiritual journey of the month of Ramadan is beginning, I address to all of them my cordial good wishes, praying that the Almighty may grant them serene and peaceful lives. May the God of peace fill you with the abundance of his blessings, together with the communities that you represent!
[Original text: French. Translation issued by the Holy See; adapted]
Dear Death Cult Worshipers........
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Iraqi Envoy Pleased With Pontiff's Words
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, SEPT. 25, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Iraq's ambassador to the Holy See, the only diplomat who spoke after exiting today's meeting with Benedict XVI, said he was pleased with the Pope's words.
Albert Edward Ismail Yelda said that the Holy Father's address, in which he advocated for the dialogue between Muslims and Christians as vital for the future of peace, should put an end to the controversies that arose in the wake of his Sept. 12 address at the University of Regensburg.
"The Holy Father expressed his profound respect for Islam. That is what we hoped for," Yelda said as he left the papal summer residence. "Now is the time to put behind what happened and to build bridges."
For his part, Mohammed Nour Dachan, president of the Union of Muslim Communities and Organizations of Italy, said in a document handed to the Pope that "Today's meeting is the sign of a willingness to dialogue that cannot be disregarded."
Another reiteration, but I sincerely hope this is the last offering from His Holiness. It's their turn now. It always was anyway.
Iraqi Writer: Benedict XVI Wants to Turn the Page
Younis Tawfik Tells of Impressions at Castel Gandolfo Meeting
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, SEPT. 25, 2006 (Zenit.org).- An Iraqi writer who attended Benedict XVI's meeting with Muslim leaders and diplomats in Castel Gandolfo was optimistic about the encounter.
After the audience, Younis Tawfik, who lives in Italy, said that the Pope's address was "moving and impressive, as he did not wish to take up or stress the controversy of past days, but give a totally new address, as if he wished to make a turn, to turn the page, giving the impression of continuing on the Church's path for dialogue."
The Holy Father had called for the meeting in the wake of controversy over his address Sept. 12 at the University of Regensburg that touched on Islam.
Before the Pope's arrival at today's meeting in the summer papal residence, his guests spoke with Cardinal Paul Poupard, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, and with members of that Vatican dicastery, particularly Monsignor Khaled Akasheh, head of the Office for Islam.
Monsignor Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's undersecretary for relations with states, joined these conversations.
The 21 countries represented by the diplomats were Kuwait, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Ivory Coast, Indonesia, Turkey, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Lebanon, Yemen, Egypt, Iraq, Senegal, Algeria, Morocco, Albania, Syria, Tunisia, Libya, Iran and Azerbaijan.
Also attending the audience was Salid Khalid, the representative of the Arab League, where the Holy See has observer status.
Fifteen Muslims took part in representation of the members of the Muslim Consultation in Italy, among whom were Italian Ambassador Mario Scialoja, and writer Younis Tawfik.
A necessity
The Pope was also greeted at the audience by Ali Salem Mohammed Salem, the imam of Rome's mosque, and Abdellah Redou, secretary-general of the Islamic Cultural Center of Italy.
The Holy Father's address, in which he reaffirmed that the dialogue between Muslims and Christians is "a vital necessity, on which in large measure our future depends," was received with applause.
Cardinal Poupard introduced the Pontiff to each one of his guests, among whom were four women. The Holy Father spoke with each one of them. The meeting lasted just over a half-hour, and a group photograph was taken.
After the meeting, Tawfik told Vatican Radio: "He confirmed his esteem for Islam, for Muslims, giving us a lesson of great tolerance, especially when he began to greet us one by one. He paused sufficient time to ask each one who he was and to thank each for having come to the audience."
The writer said he considered the Pope's address very important at this time in which "many people only seek their interests, among other things, fomenting hatred and confrontation. … On the contrary, the Holy Father's address wished to avoid this confrontation, and to invite all to reflect on the importance of peace and the values of humanity."
The Pope has it right.
More Muslims need to be more tolerant of religious speech, whether it be from Hindus, Christians, Jews, etc.
It is time that they are tolerant of others free speech rights.
Their intolerance of other peoples free speech and religious speech rights is clearly the problem...
When threats mount up against people and against peace, by recognizing the central character of the human person and by working with perseverance to see that human life is always respected, Christians and Muslims manifest their obedience to the Creator, who wishes all people to live in the dignity that he has bestowed upon them.
Uh, oh. There he goes again! :-)
"the values of humanity"
I think that can only happen with humans-- islamofascists don't make that qualification.
I am an atheist. However, it's nice, for a change, to see a religious leader preaching peace and brotherhood. Those Muslim Clerics calling for death to Israel, the US and the Infidel every third sentence was quite disturbing.
With that said, why do we give so much power to a Pope or a Cleric? They put on fancy clothes and walk around some gold plated building and we're supposed to think they are wired into God? People....please.....
Let's just all agree that head chopping, conversion by the sword, crusades, crashing airplanes into buildings, suicide bombings, and the oppression of 'infidels' etc etc is a bad thing.
People get more h'epped up' on religion then they do on drugs if you ask me......especially you Muslims, guys. Aren't you ever happy about anything? You Muslims should sleep the 'bender off' and try to wake up in a better mood. The Cristians and Catholics let all their anger go about 300 years ago. Why can't you? Besides, it's all made up shit!!!
Actually, it is much more than that. It is their intolerance for all that is non-Muslim. Anything construed by them to be a proper apology from Pope Benedict maintains their concept of Islamic supremacy and nothing will change.
I'm not sure he wants to "turn the page;" to me, it seems like he really wants them to get serious and discuss this. We shall see if they're up to the challenge.
For a change?
Not MoveOn.org LOL
I agree.
But in this case, I believe that Muslims shooting nuns in the back, setting fire to Orthodox churches and personally threatening the Pope, stems from a lack of intolerance of free speech and religious speech rights of all people.
The Pope had the right to say what he said.
He, and everyone else on this planet, has the right to their opinions concerning religious matters - regardless of what religion is being critiqued, criticized on commented on.
He sees it.
It would be nice to hear the Pope say something that wouldn't offend Muslims like, "Let the Inquisition reconvene."
Note that he does not say Islam. He says "Muslims," and I am sure there are some men of good will among them who deserve respect because they are probably seeking the truth.
BTW, the famous quote from the emperor is part of a long account that ends with his believing he has convinced his Muslim spokesman - who is sincere, and wants to know the difference - of the truth of Christianity and implies that the Muslim will convert. Bet the official Muslim world would have kittens if they knew this! But I think it's a message to the rest of us to know our own faith and be prepared to preach it and confident enough of it to invite others - including Muslims - to discuss it with us.
Thanks
You sound like a relative of mine. She doesn't beat around the bush for one minute...just gets right to the point. LOL.
Pretty gutsy, IMHO.
The Pope and our Rosaries are going to blow this whole thing wide open.
if you really want to know, keep digging.
Not me. Good thing I'm not Catholic.
I think that's the difference he's calling attention to, and which he wants them to be reasonable and abandon. They won't, of course, but it's nice of him to ask.
That said, I think we should pray for them and hope that at least some of them can be converted away from their Satanic cult.
And of course it didn't start with the Pope's comments. There have been repeated threats against various Churches all over the world, attacks on Christians, threats (and one attempt) on previous Popes, destruction of Churches, desecration of Churches and other Holy sites... The media, as is the left, and interfaith-ists refuse to see this war started a long time ago.
Ping.
Prosciutto, cheese and chianti to be served after the Papal address.
Maybe you should listen to his words and just toss out that tommeyrot about clothes and buildings. Celebrities like Madonna spend more in one month than it takes to provide for the pope's care in one year.
Many Muslins are good people. They are to be held to account neither more not less than the good Germans of Hitler's day.
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