Word: popes
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Once again, Muslims around the world are outraged about a supposed slight by the West— and by the Pope no less...
Before getting into the flesh of his argument, the Pope recalled his days of teaching. He remembered the “profound sense of coherence,” and the weekly debates with fellow scholars from other creeds and dogmas. Indeed, he even fondly quoted a former colleague complaining that Regensburg had two full faculties (one Catholic and one Protestant) devoted “to something that did not exist...
Nonetheless, the Pope is guilty…of quoting a civilized debate in a less civilized time than...
Perhaps Islamic sensibilities could have been spared if the speech had included a clear indication that the Pope did not agree with the inflammatory words from 600 years ago. Still, the fallout doesn't mean that the speech was a mistake or that a Pope can never mention Muhammad. In fact, the 35-minute discourse could turn out to be the most important step forward for interfaith dialogue since that first meeting in Assisi. It could also set off a new round of anti-Western violence by angry Muslims. Or both. Such is the world that this shy, academic-minded...
Toward the end of his lecture, Benedict said, "It is to this great Logos, to this breadth of reason, that we invite our partners in the dialogue of cultures." Indeed, just last month, on the 20th anniversary of that first Assisi encounter, the Pope sent to the Bishop of Assisi a written message that heralded John Paul's promotion of peaceful dialogue among religions. If Benedict can acquire enough of his predecessor's political touch, the theologian's hard thinking may help the West begin the difficult conversation with its Islamic brothers--one that includes a clear definition of differences...