Posted on 05/05/2006 2:32:14 PM PDT by Ebenezer
Prime Minister John Howard is standing by Australia's top Catholic, as Islamic and other groups question Cardinal George Pell's remarks about the intolerance of the Muslim faith and the Koran's "invocations to violence".
Dr Pell, Archbishop of Sydney, defended comments he made in an address to US Catholic business leaders in Florida in February, which were published this week.
In his speech, Cardinal Pell questioned the tolerance of Islam.
"Considered strictly on its own terms, Islam is not a tolerant religion and its capacity for far-reaching renovation is severely limited," Dr Pell said in the address.
He also said there were "so many" invocations to violence in the religion's holy text that he gave up counting after about 70 pages.
He stood by these remarks, saying the criticisms were "cliches, smokescreens" to distract and divert attention from the real issues.
"Islamic terrorists are not a figment of anyone's imagination and the history of relations with Islam is full of conflict," he said in a statement.
"We need a lot of continuing dialogue, based on truth, history and the current situation.
"I continue to be completely committed to dialogue with Muslims, to supporting moderate forces on all sides ... and recommend that people read the Koran ... and judge for themselves."
Islamic Council of NSW spokesman Ali Roude welcomed Dr Pell's recognition of the need for greater understanding of Islam, but urged him to exercise his leadership more carefully.
"We welcome (Dr) Pell's personal efforts to understand Islam but we caution him to avoid making statements that he cannot support with evidence, and that which is likely to reinforce tensions and disharmony within Australian communities," Mr Roude said.
Mr Howard said he knew for a fact that Cardinal Pell has been "a strong proponent of good relations between Christianity and Islam".
"I think any kind of analysis that somebody makes from his position, and he brings a great intellect to the analysis he makes ... I'm quite sure he is not trying to be unhelpful," Mr Howard told Southern Cross Broadcasting.
Mr Roude called on Dr Pell to spread a message of love and understanding, and not of fear and hatred "in a climate full of mistrust (and) instability brought about by organised fear-mongering".
Peace, respect and understanding were the foundations laid by Pope John Paul II for interfaith dialogue, Mr Roude said.
"We reiterate the need to continue our life's journey of dialogue and engagement so that extreme views of any sort do not gain prominence in driving a wedge between all of God's creations," he said.
Interesting ping.
Ping for your list.
Well, he ain't wrong.
We have our next Pope.
Fixed it.
John Howard = always rocks. God bless 'em for his stance.
Don't you wish George Bush had John Howard's character?
Ping
May Card. Pell be our next Pius V. (He'd be Pius XIII.) They'll need him.
Actually, no. No one can touch Pres Bush's leadership even though he can't be all things to all people. I accept that. Some can't. What I do wish is that our Congress had the testicles of John Howard or George Bush.
I agree. Unfortunately, it appears that the only goal of most congressional members in both parties is to stay in office, which means building a lot of "roads to nowhere."
My biggest complaint about Bush is when the "compassionate" side overrides the "conservative" side and he stoops to political correctness over things like border control and ROP.
Stop the presses; this just in: Islam is not a tolerant religion. Someone please pass this on to our White House.
Cardinal Pell is a person of considerable influence and not only within the Catholic Church in Australia. His remarks were not made lightly or with intent to inflame and John Howard has responded appropriately. It's up to Muslims to modernise and abandon the literal interpretation of the Koran or become something else.
Bumpity, bump!
What would your position be if Kerry, Gore, Keyes, or Buchanan were president? Would you be as unhappy?
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