Vatican, Muslims prepare historic meeting with Pope

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080303/wl_nm/pope_islam_dc ^

[traumer]

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Muslim representatives and Vatican officials begin talks this week that they hope will lead to an unprecedented Catholic-Islamic meeting.

Five representatives from each side will meet on Tuesday for two days in Rome to work out the details of a larger meeting that will include Pope Benedict later this year.

"We have to bring the dialogue up to date following the great successes of the pontificate of John Paul II," said Yahya Sergio Yahe Pallavicini, vice-president of the Italian Islamic Religious Community.

Catholic-Muslim relations nosedived in 2006 after Benedict delivered a lecture in Regensburg, Germany, that was taken by Muslims to imply that Islam was violent and irrational.

Muslims around the world protested and the Pope sought to make amends when he visited Turkey's Blue Mosque and prayed towards Mecca with its Imam.

After the fallout from the Regensburg speech, 138 Muslim scholars and leaders wrote to the German-born Pontiff and other Christian leaders last year, saying "the very survival of the world itself" may depend on dialogue between the two faiths.

The signatories of the Muslim appeal for theological dialogue, called the "Common Word," has grown to nearly 225 since.

"Now there is a need for deeper dialogue on doctrine, theology and the character of religions in today's world and the challenges we face," Pallavicini told Reuters.

"We must try, together with the Pope, to get on a path of dialogue on issues confronting humanity today," he said.

[We Dare Defend Our Rights]

Muslims tried to meet with the Pope once before, but were stopped just outside of Vienna in 1683. Nothing has changed.

[ConservaTexan]

Oops. With a Clinton running for President, I guess I thought it was 1992-—I hope Benedict XVI doesn’t lose his head.

[EagleUSA]

Muslims tried to meet with the Pope once before, but were stopped just outside of Vienna in 1683. Nothing has changed.
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Are we looking at the start of the Crusades II ???

[Flavius]

must be bringing terms of surrender and offer of conversion

[jtal]

Excellent, very clever.

[Right Wing Assault]

Better run those MF-ers through a scanner to make sure they aren’t walking bombs.

[Mrs. Don-o]

"...prayed towards Mecca with its Imam."

This is just stupid reporting. Pope Benedict XVI was facing Jerusalem with his hand on his pectoral cross. We'd not be surprised if the Imam wants to interpret this as facing Mecca, but it is sheer idiocy for Reuters to do so.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Why this loss of respect? You don't even know what he's going to say. Last time he spoke with Muslim reps about "reciprocity" in the area of religious liberty. It's not what they wanted to hear, but it's what B16 was there to press them about.

Dude! That's his job!

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

I think that the Pope will be criticized no matter what he says or does. There is no pleasing that group!

[B Knotts]

They’re not known as al-Reuters for nothing.

[Patriotic1]

God wants His children to live in peace. The Pope is doing God’s work. While it may not look like anything is accomplished, I will leave the results up to the Holy Spirit.

[Patriotic1]

BTW - I am not saying that I see a lot coming out of it either, but the Pope must attempt to dialog. And before you lose any more respect for him, tell me.... who else brought up the issue of islamic violence in world discussion? None other than His Awesomeness B16. While he did so in a roundabout fashion, and was critical of the West as well, the Muslims heard what he meant load and clear, and reacted strongly to it.

[EagleUSA]

While he did so in a roundabout fashion, and was critical of the West as well, the Muslims heard what he meant load and clear, and reacted strongly to it.
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Let us hope you are right. But I do not see radical Islam having any respect for anything or anyone other than their own insanity.

[informavoracious]

I don’t think this pope will be caught doing any Koran-kissing. God bless and protect the Holy Father.

[G8 Diplomat]

The only problem with the name “al-Reuters” is Arabic has no “oi” sound.

Bet you never thought there were grammar police for foreign languages on the forum - LOL :)

[B Knotts]

LOL...I never thought that...but I’m not all that surprised.

[Alex Murphy]

[Gamecock]

tehehe

[HarleyD]

Desiring with an ardent desire to liberate the Holy Land from the hands of the ungodly, we decree with the advice of prudent men who are fully familiar with the circumstances of the times, and with the approval of the council, that all who have taken the cross and have decided to cross the sea, hold themselves so prepared that they may, on June 1 of the year after next (1217), come together in the Kingdom of Sicily, some at Brundusium and others at Messana, where, God willing, we (the Pope) will be present personally to order and to bestow on the Christian army the divine and Apostolic blessing. Those who decide to make the journey by land, should strive to hold themselves prepared for the same time; for their aid and guidance we shall in the meantime appoint a competent legate a latere. Priests and other clerics who are with the Christian army, subjects as well as prelates, must be diligent in prayer and exhortation, teaching them (the crusaders) by word and example that they have always before their eyes the fear and love of God, lest they say or do something that might offend the majesty of the eternal King. And should any have fallen into sin, let them quickly rise again through true repentance, practicing humility both interiorly and exteriorly, observing moderation in food as well as in clothing, avoiding dissensions and emulations, and divesting themselves of all malice and ill will, that being thus fortified with spiritual and material arms, they may fight with greater success against the enemies of the faith, not indeed relying on their own strength but putting their trust in the power of God. To the clerics we grant for a period of three years as complete an enjoyment of their benefices as if they actually resided in them, and they may, if necessary, even give them as pledges during this time. Therefore, that this undertaking may not be impeded or retarded, we strictly command all prelates that each one in his own territory induce those who have laid aside the crusader's cross to resume it, and carefully to admonish them and others who have taken the cross, as well as those who happen to be engaged for this purpose, to renew their vows to God, and if necessary to compel them by excommunication and interdict to abandon all delay. -4th Lateran Council of 1215

My, my. What a difference 800 years makes.