Posted on 07/19/2004 8:29:56 PM PDT by Land of the Irish
CARDINAL TAURAN: WARFARE DOES NOT PREVENT REFLECTION
DOHA (QATAR) MAY 27, 2004 (VIS) - Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, librarian and archivist of Holy Roman Church and former Secretary for Relations with States, was one of the principal speakers this morning at the first public session of the Qatar Conference on Muslim-Christian Dialogue, being held in the capital of Doha from May 27 to 29. The conference was organized by the Pontifical Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims and the Gulf Studies Center of Qatar University.
Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, president of the Pontifical Commission, addressed words of welcome to the invited guests. Other speakers this morning included Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, foreign minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammad Sayed Tantawi, Grand Iman of al-Azhar, His Holiness Anba Pope Shenouda III, Youssef Al-Qaradawi of the University of Qatar and Hamid Bin Ahmad Al-Rifaie, president of the International Islamic Forum for Dialogue.
Cardinal Tauran, in his address in English, called the Qatar meeting "an eloquent witness to fraternity. The sound of warfare, which is heard not far from us, will not prevent us from reflecting upon our responsibilities as believers, or from addressing a message of friendship to all those willing to accept it. Our meeting is first of all a meeting of believers. Since we acknowledge that we are children of the same God, we can accept our differences and together devote ourselves to the service of society, with respect for justice, moral values and peace."
He went on to say that the meeting is "also a dialogue between believers belonging to two different religions. In order to avoid any syncretism or caricature of others, it is important that each person remain loyal to his or her own faith." He quoted Pope John Paul II who on numerous occasions has highlighted the many things that Muslims and Christians have in common as "worshippers of God" and "seekers of God" and "believers in the same God. . The Catholic Church regards with respect and recognizes . the richness of your spiritual tradition. We Christians, too, are proud of our religious tradition."
Cardinal Tauran stated that "for this reason, freedom of conscience and of religion is important, even absolutely necessary. . Religious freedom respects at the same time both God and man! It is absolute and reciprocal. It extends beyond the individual to the community; it has both a civil and social dimension.. Religious freedom thus understood and lived out can become a powerful factor for building peace." He said that believers promote justice, human dignity, and peace and solidarity among peoples.
"Political leaders have nothing to fear from true believers," he said. "Authentic believers are also the best antidote to all forms of fanaticism, because they know that preventing their brothers and sisters from practicing their religion, discriminating against a follower of a religion other than one's own, or worse still, killing in the name of religion, are abominations that offend God and which no cause or authority, be it political or religious, can ever justify.
Cardinal Tauran highlighted the need "to initiate a dialogue of trust between civil and religious authorities, so that the rights and the obligations of believers and their communities will be firmly established and guaranteed, with particular respect for the principle of reciprocity. . One cannot claim to obtain one's legitimate rights and freedoms by tramping upon those of others!
"Here in Doha," he concluded, "all of us can, indeed we must, do our part in paving the way of fraternity and peace!"
The goal of Jesus Christ through His Church is to assist all in reaching eternal salvation. Throughout the course of history, the approaches used have varied. I know quite well the Great Commission verses.
Interesting you omit St. Paul speaking of giving milk instead of meat to those who are not yet ready for it, nor do you cite "his become all things to all people" to win them to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
These verses are also part of Sacred Scripture, with each being understood in light of the others. That is why we have the Church to sort these things out for us, which of course is guided in a special way that you and I are not, by the Holy Ghost.
No, but being a vampire does.
It's even more interesting that you omit St. Paul suffered imprisonment and finally martyrdom for preaching nothing but the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He wasn't preaching such heresy as this Prince of the Church that you lamely defend with non-dogmatic VC II documents.
When Cardinal Tauran spews forth, in public, to a mostly Muslim audience, "In order to avoid any syncretism or caricature of others, it is important that each person remain loyal to his or her own faith", he is teaching heresy.
And you try to defend this heresy in the "spirit of VC II".
Do you think that quotation, a full, unedited sentence, of the Cardinal's, is heresy? Yes or No will suffice. Stop beating around the bush.
You also failed to mention that St. Paul admonished his Pope, St. Peter, "I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed" when he thought St. Peter was slightly straying from the mission Christ had given him.
Perhaps praying for them more and bitching about 'em less would be more productive, if indeed, they are faililng in their mission, as you say.
Ah yes, and you are St. Paul? Pretty self assured, I might say. And what is all the huffing and puffing going to do to make things better? What are you doing to build his kingdom? Homeschooling? Building traditional Latin Mass communities? Making new friendships with young couples to help mentor them in their marriages? Assisting young to discern becoming traditional priests?
I hope you're doing all of these things and just using this forum to blow off steam. I do not analyze media quotes as if these were official documents promulgated by authoritative Church sources. You obviously believe the media covers things verbatim and much more accurately than I do. Having been a reporter, and dealing with the media every day in my career, I have a different perspective I guess.
Thank you for your yes or no answer to my question. The Clinton's have trained you well.
Thank you for your yes or no answer to my question. The Clinton's have trained you well.
Again, I'd have to say both. Pray for their salvation and re-conversion to their own Faith, and then pester the living hell out of them.
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