Thanks to all who read this and have replied. It is important to understand that not only the Vatican, but all persons who respect religious freedoms need to acknowledge the danger that Islam is to our western culture.
I have no doubt that there are some folks in this religion who have become democratized and do not adhere to the redical fundamentalists among their faith, but with all the hatred the Islamists spew forth against anyone who criticizes them, it is more necessary than ever before that we all stand together in this battle.
By-the-way, I agree that the Catholic Church has NOT been late in acknowledging this danger. On the contrary, it is the leftists and secularists who have been ominously quiet - even though they will be among the first to be beheaded if the terorists get their way. Whenever the Pope has mentioned a problem with the radicals in the Muslim world, he (the Pope) has been labelled by the main stream media as intolerant, not the radicals. Go figure!
I think the solution must come strengthening our own faith, uniting Christians, NOT "against" anyone or any religion, but uniting with each other.
If we had the faith, fervor and practice of Islam in our own Christianity, we wouldn't be so afraid. We fear because we see their success in uniting their people.
I'm not disagreeing with you, Gumdrop, not at all. THAT strength of religion is exactly what the ROMANS feared in our early Christians: THEY WERE ON FIRE with the Holy Spirit! Would that we had that fire again. Come, Holy Ghost.