Posted on 05/15/2006 10:29:00 AM PDT by Dark Skies
Vatican City - Pope Benedict XVI on Monday called on Islamic countries to safeguard Catholics living there and on both Muslims and Catholics to show 'mutual respect' towards each other.
Addressing a Vatican conference on immigration to and from the Islamic world, Benedict said the Roman Catholic Church was 'committed' to interreligious dialogue.
'We are living at a time in which Christians are called to nurture an open style of dialogue on religious issues,' Benedict said.
At the same time, 'we are increasingly aware of the importance of reciprocity' - a term used to indicate the need for Islamic countries to allow their Christian minorities to build churches and live their faith just as Muslims are allowed to frequent mosques existing in predominantly Christian nations like Italy.
The 79-year-old pontiff has made inter-religious dialogue one of the priorities of his pontificate, meeting Islamic leaders during his first trip to Germany and openly condemning the Mohammed cartoons published in the Danish media.
At the same time, 'we are increasingly aware of the importance of reciprocity' - a term used to indicate the need for Islamic countries to allow their Christian minorities to build churches and live their faith just as Muslims are allowed to frequent mosques existing in predominantly Christian nations like Italy.
I can't wait for the Saudi response to this generous suggestion.
reciprocity - doing unto others as they do unto you. the idea has possibilities...
It would still be OK to go after Protestants, Jews, LDS, Jehovah's Witnesses, etc.....
;-)
I like this guy.
Hi!
Please remove me from the old Catholic ping list.
It has been very instructive. Thank you.
Even better would be what various Popes organised during the Crusades.
Let the "Protestants, Jews, LDS, Jehovah's Witnesses, etc....." Leaders make their own overtures!!!!!!!!!!
Why should the Pope speak for them?
If he tried to, they would only criticize him.
Yeah very smart. THere are signs at least in some places that this is happening. For instance the UAE and other Gulf states. I think the Pope here is sending a message to the House of Saud. Saudi Arabi sends money to build mosques throughout Europe. However our priest have to basically say mass unofficially in private compounds. I suppose that occurs in peoples houses or common activity rooms. The problem is that many Catholics in Saudi do not have access to those places. I am thinking of mostly of the vast numbers of Phillipino workers that are there. Besides, not able to have access to the sacraments often their very human rights are abused.
I think he was joking. I am a pro-Catholic Protestant and I don't think protestants would criticize the Pope.
It was a joke, hence the wink. It's a nice gesture, but I am not interested in getting along with them. I am more interested in defeating and converting them. That's how they got their start. We're already being accused of launching another Crusade. Let's be done with it, already.
Like liberalism, Islam can't survive the light of day. If PBXVI's parlance were allowed, open dialogue will bring what you suggest... it is already happening in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Actually, Iraq and Afghanistan's constitutions are conformed to sharia which precludes the light of day from touching islam.
I was referring more to the truly powerful conversion stories playing out over there. The recent court case was one means the gov't of Afghanistan was hoping to stem the tide...
Great move by the Pope.
According to my life experience, it is almost impossible to reason with an uneducated Muslim men which compose an absolute majority in some parts of the world. It is like reasoning with the beast. I admit that I probably have met too many of the worst representatives of their society but this is what the most of them were.
PS. I know two Muslim guys who are actually good guys.
The Saudis responded DECADES ago. ARAMCO (Arabian American Oil Company) was founded in 1932. I was with ARMACO for five years.
There were three "instructors" residing on camp and working for ARAMCO: a Protestant minister, Church of England priest and a Roman Catholic priest. They first two held their weekly services, without fail. The "RC Morale Group, " the Roman Cathoics, held Mass every day. I went to Mass on my coffee break, every morning at 9:00 A.M.
My Saudi boss told me that I was ALWAYS free to go pray because, according to him, "God was number one. There is always time for God."
I know that Americans really LOVE to hate the Saudis. Too bad more don't live over there (or travel there) and see what they are really like.
I suppose few will go there to see for themselves. It's much more fun to excoriate in utter ignorance and Saudi/Islam bash in believing anti-Saudi/Islam press. This DOESN'T apply to you D.K., OF COURSE.
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