Posted on 03/21/2013 7:01:15 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis extended a hand to those who don't belong to any religion, urging them on Wednesday to work with believers to build peace and protect the environment.
In his first ecumenical meeting, the new pope greeted representatives from Christian churches and other religions, including Jewish and Muslim leaders, who had come to Rome to attend his inaugural Mass on Tuesday.
Francis said that he intends to follow "on the path of ecumenical dialogue" set for the Roman Catholic Church by the Second Vatican Council (1962-65).
But he also reached out to those who don't belong "to any religious tradition" but feel the "need to search for the truth, the goodness and the beauty of God."
Francis echoed his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, saying that the "attempt to eliminate God and the divine from the horizon of humanity" has often led to catastrophic violence.
But Francis, who has set a humbler tone to the papacy since his election on March 13, added that atheists and believers can be "precious allies" in their efforts "to defend the dignity of man, in the building of a peaceful coexistence between peoples and in the careful protection of creation."
Francis also stressed the "very special spiritual bond" between Catholics and Jews.
"There is no doubt that Catholic-Jewish relations will go from strength to even greater strength during Pope Francis's pontificate," said Rabbi David Rosen, International Director of Interreligious Affairs of the American Jewish Committee, after meeting with Francis.
Earlier on Wednesday, the pope met privately with the spiritual leader of Eastern Orthodox Christians, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople.
According to the Patriarchate of Constantinople, Bartholomew and Francis are planning a joint visit to Jerusalem in 2014 to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1964 meeting between Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras.
That meeting led to the cancellation of the reciprocal excommunications between the leaders of western and eastern Christianity in 1054, otherwise known as the "Great Schism."
Bartholomew attended Francis' inauguration on Tuesday, the first Patriarch to do so in over 900 years.
Wake up, Francis! Atheists have no other goal than destroying faith all across the world. They’re the enemies of every person of faith.
Ordinay atheists can and should be evangelized.
“Evangelical atheists”—the militant, ACLU types should be euthanized.
An Atheist like Richard Dawkins is an enemy... An Atheist like Penn Gillette who seeks truth can be an ally.
Understanding the difference is a healthy thing.
The Catholics in America already vote with the atheists, and already clearly share the agenda of the democrat party and of the left.
So what is his message?
He knows the diff.
Catholic teaching is that people are judged - at the time of judgment, that is - by what they know/their exposure and the disposition of their beliefs
I have met a lot more Dawkins-ites than Gillette-ites, including the most radical leftist I’ve ever had the displeasure of meeting, who said he thought abortions should be celebrated.
Not necessarily the case. Simon Heffer, the British Conservative columnist is an atheist who believes in Christianity as force for good, even if he himself doesn’t believe.
“But he also reached out to those who don’t belong “to any religious tradition” but feel the “need to search for the truth, the goodness and the beauty of God.”
“Francis echoed his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, saying that the “attempt to eliminate God and the divine from the horizon of humanity” has often led to catastrophic violence.”
... The media prioritizes quotes as it sees fit- to push whatever agenda they’re trying to push.
Oh, I have no doubt there are atheists who are lost, yet understand why Christianity is essential to our civilization. I’m just saying most of the ones I have met have been belligerent towards faith.
Got to admit my Catholic reaction is exactly the same.
Our little pro-life group has one atheist, and I tell him he’s our secret weapon. People wonder what he’s doing there? He just SEES that abortion is wrong. Don’t need no dogma. Makes them think maybe, since they can’t brush him off as a religious clinger.
Allies in the war against Islam, perhaps.
"There is no doubt that Catholic-Jewish relations will go from strength to even greater strength during Pope Francis's pontificate," said Rabbi David Rosen, International Director of Interreligious Affairs of the American Jewish Committee, after meeting with Francis.
American Jewish Committee are Pro Obama Leftists
http://www.ajc.org/site/c.7oJILSPwFfJSG/b.8452673/k.948A/AJC_Google_Search.htm?q=obama
AJC’s Rabbi David Rosen Meets Pope Francis
March 20, 2013
"Rosen, one of only a select few Jews to have received the Papal Knighthood, was among twelve Jewish leaders from Argentina, Israel, Italy and the U.S. invited to the installation and today’s private audience with the Pope."
"At the installation ceremony the Jewish delegation was the only non-Christian religious group which Pope Francis publicly welcomed by name. “Today, at the private audience, we were greeted with special warmth,” said Rosen. "
http://www.ajc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=7oJILSPwFfJSG&b=8478375&ct=13047941¬oc=1
Papal Knighthood Given to a Jewish Rabbi
http://www.traditioninaction.org/HotTopics/a029htRabbiKnight_Morella.htm
Yikes...he sounds like the head of the United Nations, hooked on globalism, unicorns and lollipops..
Oh yeah?
Just like the late lamented Quix, I'm quite sure you wouldn't have the balls to say that to my Catholic face.
American atheists are just ignorant enough of history to think that the peace and prosperity we’ve enjoyed are endemic to the human condition.
But the lies have been spread so thick, so effectively in the past century, that any sincere Christian who writes off those who have not yet seen is completely ignorant of Christ's message, and charge.
Animals fight hardest right before they’re about to give in.
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