Posted on 09/17/2006 8:20:38 PM PDT by Petrosius
The Holy Father gave his Angelus address today at Castlegandolfo. At the beginning he departed from his text many times to console those present who were being treated to heavy rain. The press reacted instantly, stating that the Pope apologized. However, if you listen to what he said, he did not. Let’s look at the Italian and figure out what the Pope really said (which was broadcast live by Al-Jazeera, among others).
Yes, he spoke of the reaction of muslims to his address in Regensburg. He said that he was "vivamente rammaricato" ... "deeply regretful" about the reactions resultings over his use of a brief medieval text which, he stressed, did not express, in any way, his personal opinion of muslims. He underscored that he was citing a medieval text.
Benedict said that Card. Bertone, the new Secretary of State stated already the "real sense" ("autentico senso") of his words. He hoped that people would pay attention to what he actually said. He added that what we need is frank and sicnere dialog with great reciprocal respect. He said that the whole text was and is an invitation to dialog.
«Sono vivamente rammaricato per le reazioni suscitate da un breve passo del mio discorso all’Universita di Ratisbona, ritenuto offensivo per la sensibilita dei credenti musulmani».
Benedict did not use the stronger phrase "chiedere scusa", or "apologize". He did not use the construction "mi sono rammaricato" (rammaricarsi) , which would have meant "I am sorry about" something. He used "vivamente rammaricato" or "deeply sorry" but in the sense of "regretful" or "disappointed" about the reactions following his speech. In fact, the phrase "sono vivamente rammaricato per le reazioni" could really mean "I am deeply wounded by the reactions". [UPDATE: The official English translation released after the fact says: "I am deeply sorry for the reactions"]
It is true that he distanced himself from that text. He said that Paleologus’s words were not his sentiments. You can say that this was an apology if you add all the elements together, but …. there it is. It won’t be enough, of course, for many (for the "thick"). It can be interpreted as an apology and, in a sense, it MUST be. There are in Islamic countries Christian communities in grave peril. Had the Pope not said something like this, those people would be in even greater danger. He had to apologize without apologizing while keeping his agenda on the table.
He added some additional insightful comments about the liturgical feasts of the Exaltation of the Cross and of the Sorrowful Mother. He added that the scandel of the Cross, considered a foolishness to the pagans, helps man to overcome slavery to sign. The Cross, symbol of death and of love, defeats hatred and violence and generates eternal life. In the hype about the comments at Regensburg, don’t forget to read everything Benedict said about the meaning of the Cross for our own sufferings. It was wonderful.
I was very pleased that His Holiness did not grovel over this. Indeed, his words in German to the German pilgrims were rather poignant in his reference to suffering in difficult situations.
The upshot of today’s address was: "Read the whole text and then let’s have a real discussion based on what I really said, not based on a brief citation I used in the speech."
He said he would speak more at length during his upcoming Wednesday audience.
In the meantime, Corriere della Sera rushed to put on its website that the Pope "apologized" ... "il Papa chiede scusa" ... to muslims. Well… yes and no.
Of course, the reaction of the press and muslim world underscores the point the Pope made in Regensburg. Christians are not treated fairly by muslims, violence is used against them, and reason is not employed. The Pope wanted to bring the use of violence (read "jihad") onto the table. Muslims cannot critically examine their own texts, as Christians do. Real theological dialog with muslims is not possible. Benedict stated that Islam thinks that Allah can be contradictory, which is absolutely different from Christian thought about God. But more on that later.
In the meantime, the muslim goverment in Sudan is committing genocide at Darfur.
Ping!
Muslims heard what they wanted to hear, and now the press that revels in apologies, are hearing what they want to hear and reporting it.
Pope makes remarks about violence and religion, with specific references to Islam.
Media and Muslims mischaracterize his speech and attack him.
Pope takes nothing back, but says he's sorry peoples' feelings were hurt, and that wasn't the point.
"Conservatives" mischaracterize his follow-up statement and attack him.
Such clarity in four concise sentences.
BEAVO!
I am deeply sorry...
that certain members of Islam who are in a death cult...
were offended by my quote of a historical figure in the Church...
who understood the desires and methods of those who follow Mohamed.
bump for later.
Thank you for posting.
And hear hear to all who've followed.
But the Holy Father's remarks are even stronger than that. Perhaps a better translation for "sono vivamente rammaricato per le reazioni" is: "I am deeply troubled by the reactions", i.e. "I am upset at how the Muslims have reacted." He is criticizing their actions not expressing regret at their wounded sensibilities.
+
If you want on (or off) this Catholic and Pro-Life ping list, let me know!
Theodicy is not a Muslim concern. Evil and good are different sides of the same coin. They make Calvinists seem like Pelagians.
Here's what the Pope said:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/15_09_06_pope.pdf
'Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The Pastoral Visit which I recently made to Bavaria was a deep spiritual experience, bringing together personal memories linked to places well known to me and pastoral initiatives towards an effective proclamation of the Gospel for today. I thank God for the interior joy which he made possible, and I am also grateful to all those who worked hard for the success of this Pastoral Visit. As is the custom, I will speak more of this during next Wednesday’s General Audience. At this time, I wish also to add that I am deeply sorry for the reactions in some countries to a few passages of my address at the University of Regensburg, which were considered offensive to the sensibility of Muslims. These in fact were a quotation from a medieval text, which do not in any way express my personal thought. Yesterday, the Cardinal Secretary of State published a statement in this regard in which he explained the true meaning of my words. I hope that this serves to appease hearts and to clarify the true meaning of my address, which in its totality was and is an invitation to frank and sincere dialogue, with great mutual respect.
It pretty much restates what was said in the statement before:
I'm very sorry your feelings were hurt by my quoting the emperor. Those were his words, not mine. Let's talk.
He didn't backtrack on any of his conclusions: 1) God is reasonable. 2) Violence in the name of God is wrong 3)Rationality without room for the metaphysical, for religion and God is also wrong.
Implied in 1 and 2 is a veiled, but readable conclusion that the Islamic view of God is wrong. This he has not backed off of.
That's pretty much how Fox is reporting this morning in their news breaks.
They also reported that sharpshooters were stationed around during the Pope's address, and the faithful who attended went through metal detectors.
Seems to me that the Muslim agitators have been waiting for an opportunity to go after the Pope and they think they have found one that will resonate with their followers and enablers. It gives them the excuse they need in order to act like angry children and intimidate the rest of us, especially the poor Christians living under their control.
BUMP and thanks. You're exactly right.
Bump!!!
Exactly right.
But as usual, the MSM is making a hash of the whole thing. They really piss me off.
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