Posted on 09/17/2006 5:49:41 PM PDT by RightOnTheLeftCoast
'Remarks Not My Views'
Updated: 18:52, Sunday September 17, 2006
The Pope has appeared in public to say the remarks he made about Islam which sparked fury across the Muslim world did not in any way reflect his personal views.
Benedict XVI had been under pressure to make a personal apology following a controversial speech he made in Germany on Tuesday.
In the Somalian capital Mogadishu an Italian nun was attacked and killed by gunmen. Sources said there was a very high possibility the incident was linked to the speech.
The Pope told a crowd at his summer retreat at Castle Gandolfo, ltaly, he was "very upset and sorry" his remarks had caused such a reaction.
"This was a citation from a medieval text which doesn't express in any way whatsoever my personal opinion," he said.
He said the speech had been an "invitation to... frank and sincere dialogue".
In it, he referred to criticism of the Prophet Mohammed by a 14th-century Byzantine emperor.
The passage said everything Mohammed brought was evil "such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached".
Using the terms "jihad" and "holy war", the Pope said violence was "incompatible with the nature of God".
Protests in Pakistan Initially Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood said the apology was sufficient.
"We consider that the new statements represent a retreat from what went before. We can consider them a sufficient apology, even if we had wanted the Pope to outline his ideas and vision of Islam," said deputy leader Mohammed Habib.
However, later the brotherhood appeared to change its mind and said the Pope had not made a "clear" apology.
The Muslim Council of Britain welcomed the Pope's explanation.
A spokesman said: "We very much welcome the Pope's statement in which he made it clear that his own views do not in any way accord with those of the 14th century emperor.
"This is a very important clarification that we had been seeking. Had this caveat been included in the Pope's original speech it may have prevented this controversy in the first place."
Demonstrations by Muslims around the world saw effigies of the Pope burned and threw doubt over the his planned visit to Turkey in November, with the country's Prime Minister insisting the comments must be withdrawn.
It was also revealed the national security level in Italy had been stepped up in the wake of threats to the pontiff from Islamic groups.
You nailed it like a Jewish carpenter :)
I don't want him to drop the ball in the second half.
Read the address, and you'll understand why, I think.
And we will most likely find ourselves in such a position eventually.
Face it, it's not us that are wrong. Your pope did what every other leader in the world has done. He caved.
Yes, in a matter of speaking...this is an issue that will "announce" his mettle (G-d saw to the proof of it previously)
I an not a Catholic (I do go to Mass with a family member)...but this Pope is stepping up to the plate. He has offered no apology except to say he is sorry islam is offended by the truth.
I believe he knows what he is doing. He has fired the first shot across the bow of islam. He has stated unequivalently that islam cannot withstand the truth...islam cannot withstand rational thought.
Has anyone seen this?
http://catholiclondoner.blogspot.com/2006/09/very-rushed-post.html
I'd post it on the Forum, but I don't know how to do it. :(
My goodness! I wasn't expecting such praise! Thank you, dear FRiend. I fear you are right, but you have been fighting the same battle with me and I trust you implicitly.
It something he didn't take pleasure in saying but none the less it had to be said.
I agree 100% with you.
The Pope didn't cave, he was sorry he pissed people off, but it's amazing what is lacking from the story on the news.. no one is discussing what his speech was really about.
I'd like to dive deeper into all of it. It was complex and deep and my heart was telling me that he did use those quotes for a reason but not as a reason to have them show their evil cards. I think he was trying to show everyone that dialogue between religion and staying enlightened about it is important.
I think it's interesting how he referenced Greek culture being sophisticated and the intertwining of that with Christianity.
Anyhow.. I am ranting but I feel alone in why this speech was supposed to get exposure... it's getting it but not for the right reasons.
A spokesman said: "We very much welcome the Pope's statement in which he made it clear that his own views do not in any way accord with those of the 14th century emperor.
The SPOKESPERSON (Muslim Council) speaking is twisting the Pope's words, yet again. The Pope has not apologized. Nor has he uttered what his personal views are.
Why, then, put it out there for any to hear. Was it a history class?
I so hope you all are right!!!!
St. Peter denied associating with Jesus three times.
Still,it is disheartening to see Western civilization'n leaders afraid to speak the truth.
What good are any weapons if you are afraid to use them?
Wasn't there once something referred to as the Sword of Truth?
> "After the Council," he says, "their value has been over emphasized; paganism painted as being serene and innocent is one of the illusions of our time. In fact, there exists the active presence of the devil, and from this only Christ can free us. For this reason we must continue to preach Christianity to these non-Christian religions which are in many instances reigns of terror."
Good words, Bishop. Now recant Trent and we are getting someplace. :-)
He did stand up, and has not apologized, but simply said he's sorry they're upset. He's not afraid for himself and I think he's prepared to die - he has recently made several comments to the effect that he is an old man, may not live to see many things, etc. - but he is doing everything he can to avoid calling down even more violence against Christians in Muslim lands. However, he is still not backing down.
Even though he is receiving, from what I can see, zero support here or anywhere else - so far I have read of only one supporter, the Orthodox archbishop of South Africa. Maybe you should write to the Vatican and also ask your pastor to say something in support of the Pope.
I think the Pope is seeing this as the defining issue of this time (which it is).
Supposedly, his audience on Wednesday will have a longer and more detailed response. So we shall see.
"Maybe you should write to the Vatican and also ask your pastor to say something in support of the Pope."
He has to be his own man. I'm doing what I can to get the leader of this country to see the enemy within.
Very interesting, thank you for that link!
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