Pontifical Council speaks out against terror in name of religion

Radio Vaticana ^ | 8/12/2014

[markomalley]

The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue has issued a statement deploring the upsurge in violence in Iraq, calling on religious leaders, those involved in interfaith dialogue and on all men and women of good will, to unequivocally condemn terror in the name of religion. The Council also calls on religious leaders “to exercise their influence with the authorities to end these crimes, to punish those who commit them and to reestablish the rule of law throughout the land, ensuring the return home of those who have been displaced."

Below please find the English translation of the original French text:

The whole world has witnessed with incredulity what is now called the "Restoration of the Caliphate," which had been abolished on October 29,1923 by Kamal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey. Opposition to this "restoration" by the majority of religious institutions and Muslim politicians has not prevented the "Islamic State" jihadists from committing and continuing to commit unspeakable criminal acts.

This Pontifical Council, together with all those engaged in interreligious dialogue, followers of all religions, and all men and women of good will, can only unambiguously denounce and condemn these practices which bring shame on humanity:

-the massacre of people on the sole basis of their religious affiliation;

-the despicable practice of beheading, crucifying and hanging bodies in public places;

-the choice imposed on Christians and Yezidis between conversion to Islam, payment of a tax (jizya) or forced exile;

-the forced expulsion of tens of thousands of people, including children, elderly, pregnant women and the sick;

-the abduction of girls and women belonging to the Yezidi and Christian communities as spoils of war (sabaya);

-the imposition of the barbaric practice of infibulation;

-the destruction of places of worship and Christian and Muslim burial places;

-the forced occupation  or desecration of churches and monasteries;

-the removal of crucifixes and other Christian religious symbols as well as those of other religious communities;

-the destruction of a priceless Christian religious and cultural heritage;

-indiscriminate violence aimed at terrorizing people to force them to surrender or flee.

No cause, and certainly no religion, can justify such barbarity. This constitutes an extremely serious offense to humanity and to God who is the Creator, as Pope Francis has often reminded us. We cannot forget, however, that Christians and Muslims have lived together - it is true with ups and downs - over the centuries, building a culture of peaceful coexistence and civilization of which they are proud. Moreover, it is on this basis that, in recent years, dialogue between Christians and Muslims has continued and intensified.

The dramatic plight of Christians, Yezidis and other religious communities and ethnic minorities in Iraq requires a clear and courageous stance on the part of religious leaders, especially Muslims, as well as those engaged in interreligious dialogue and all people of good will. All must be unanimous in condemning unequivocally these crimes and in denouncing the use of religion to justify them. If not, what credibility will religions, their followers and their leaders have? What credibility can the interreligious dialogue that we have patiently pursued over recent years have?

Religious leaders are also called to exercise their influence with the authorities to end these crimes, to punish those who commit them and to reestablish the rule of law throughout the land, ensuring the return home of those who have been displaced. While recalling the need for an ethical management of human societies, these same religious leaders must not fail to stress that the support, funding and arming of terrorism is morally reprehensible.

That said, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue is grateful to all those who have already raised their voices to denounce terrorism, especially that which uses religion to justify it.

Let us therefore unite our voices with that of Pope Francis: "May the God of peace stir up in each one of us a genuine desire for dialogue and reconciliation. Violence is never defeated by violence. Violence is defeated by peace. "

[markomalley]

…calling on religious leaders, those involved in interfaith dialogue and on all men and women of good will, to unequivocally condemn terror in the name of religion.

((crickets))

[SgtHooper]

Yeh, real helpful. Sounds like another jimmy Carter moment—flap your gums while actual worthwhile human beings are being slaughtered.

[ebb tide]

The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue has issued a statement deploring the upsurge in violence in Iraq, calling on religious leaders, those involved in interfaith dialogue and on all men and women of good will, to unequivocally condemn terror in the name of religion.

That's a lot different than Pope St. Pius V's call to arms for the Battle of Lepanto.

[MasterGunner01]

And what, exactly, do Pope Francis and his Pontifical Council offer against the psycho killer cult of Islam? Can you say appeasement boys and girls? I knew you could. Other than flap their gums, they will do nothing and take no action. I guess their cowardice is showing.

[markomalley]

That's a lot different than Pope St. Pius V's call to arms for the Battle of Lepanto.

Even in Pius V's day, there was limited success in assembling a "Holy League" to do battle with the Ottomans. Europe was already divided because of the Protestant Schism. Elizabeth I of England was in the process of killing anybody who dared to practice being a Catholic, while imposing her own little version of a jizya on those who wouldn't formally apostasize. While Charles of France actually cut a deal with the Ottomans.

Pius V did not assemble a massive force that overwhelmed the Ottomans. He assembled a scratch team that was vastly outnumbered. The victory of Lepanto was not achieved by military might: it was achieved through divine intervention that occurred as the result of intercession of Our Lady of the Rosary granted because of the faithful prayers of those involved in the battle and the Faithful throughout the world.

So from where is the Holy Father going to assemble this modern-day Holy League?

And assuming he can, which modern force is going to hoist blue standards in honor of Our Lady? Are they going to carry the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe into battle with them? Will each battalion say Mass and have a group recitation of the Rosary each day before engaging ISIS in battle?

[piusv]

Eh, I’d settle for a pope that spoke the truth about Islam.

[ebb tide]

Do you not believe miraculous military victories can still occur?

This Pope doesn’t call for rosary crusades; rather he makes fun of “rosary-counters” who had offered him spiritual bouquets.