[Brian Kopp DPM]

Pope Francis: 'I Am Thinking Particularly of Dialogue With Islam'

March 22, 2013

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By CNSNews.com Staff

(CNSNews.com) -- Speaking on Friday at an audience held for diplomats accredited to the Vatican, Pope Francis said that he hoped to "intensify dialogue" with other religion, particularly Islam.

He noted the pope is also known as the "pontiff"--or "a builder of bridges"--and that St. Francis was a peacemaker.

"In this work, the role of religion is fundamental," said the pope. "It is not possible to build bridges between people while forgetting God. But the converse is also true: it is not possible to establish true links with God, while ignoring other people. Hence it is important to intensify dialogue among the various religions, and I am thinking particularly of dialogue with Islam."

Here is the complete text of the pope's speech to the diplomats

[Da Coyote]

Regardless of the Pope’s intentions, we will most probably be at war with Islam within ten years.

[O6ret]

Islam does not recognize ‘bridge builders’ unless they are one-way, their way.

Islam views turning the other cheek as a sign of weakness.

[ex-snook]

This guy isn’t a convert. He is a politician.

[wideawake]

Sounds like a church hopper to me.

His personal feelings and agenda are the measure of the Church, in his eyes.

The sin of pride is nefarious.

[Free and Armed]

Too many people mistaking efforts to open dialogue with an acceptance of the religion itself. Dialoguing with people can do wonders in improving relationships, and does not necessarily mean that truth will be compromised. We Catholics need to remember that this is the Church Christ founded that will not fail. Let’s have a little more confidence in the pope than what I’ve seen with a few people. I’ve met a lot of great young people from Islamic communities here in NC, and I hope and pray that they are the future direction of Muslims over here, not the fanatics and freaks we tend to focus on. I have no problem hanging out with them, but I refuse to compromise my Christian values in the process. Standing boldly for the truth, calling people out when necessary, but all the while acting in genuine love and humility, goes a long way. None of us are better than anyone, nor do Christians have the monopoly on moral living. We have the monopoly on truth, but we should be able to see where good exists elsewhere, even though it can be mixed with serious error and other bad stuff.

[marshmallow]

It appears that Allam's primary concern is to be associated with a potent and effective vehicle for confronting Islam. That's not a great reason to become Catholic although it may be a praiseworthy temporal objective. The Church has confronted Islam at various points in history and may well do so again but we're here for one reason; the salvation of souls. It's the Church's job to light the road to salvation and to provide us with the spiritual means to walk that road. Those who join the Church for reasons not directly related to this project will eventually fall by the wayside, as it appears Allam has.

As those of us who've been tortured by 50 years of post-Vatican II lunacy can testify, one carries these crosses and perseveres, sure in the faith that the Church is the bride of Christ, despite the human vicissitudes which constantly beset it.

[Iscool]

So the fella didn’t leave Jesus...He only left the Catholic religion...Sounds like he encountered a relationship with Jesus before he became a Catholic and found the two were not compatible...