Pope Benedict seems to get it, and then he seems to lose his head in an orifice one doesn't usually associate with Holiness:
VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI urged Islamic countries to ensure religious rights for Christian migrants Monday while also saying Christians should continue welcoming Muslim immigrants with open arms.
Benedict stressed the need for "reciprocity" in Christian-Muslim relations during a speech to members of the pontifical council for migrants. The Vatican office is studying the issue of migration to and from Muslim countries during its annual meeting this week.
Cardinal Renato Martino, who heads the migrant office, has complained recently that while Muslim immigrants are often welcomed into largely Christian countries in Europe and allowed to practice their faith freely, Christian immigrants in the Islamic world are denied those same rights.
Benedict said Christians were called to "open their arms and their hearts to everyone," regardless of their countries of origin.
"Obviously, it is also to be hoped that Christians who emigrate to countries with an Islamic majority find welcome and respect of their religious identities there," he said.
"More and more the importance of reciprocity in dialogue is felt."
Benedict has called for respect for religious rights for Christian minorities in the past.
In a January speech to Vatican-based ambassadors, he lamented that some countries "seriously violate" religious freedom for minorities. He did not name any, but the Vatican has expressed concern about the plight of Roman Catholic minorities in countries such as China, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the Middle East.
Any Catholic readers who might be offended by what I say above ought to know that there are few bigger Benedict lovers than myself. Go to my blog CUANAS and look in the blogroll, and you will find the Ratzinger Fan Club prominently displayed. I have read three of the Pope's books, and have done numerous posts on why I think Benedict is the right Pope at the right time in history.
AND I AM NOT EVEN CATHOLIC.
But, I have to tell the truth, and the Pope is making a big mistake here in suggesting that the West ought to continue opening the immigration floodgates open to Muslims.
Not only is it time to close down Muslim immigration altogether, but it is time to start deporting the Islamofascists in our midst.
It is not anti-Christian to want to defend Western Civilization. If we do not successfully defend Western Civilization, then the haven for Christians and Jews will no longer exist, and Christians will be subject to the same treatment in Europe and America which they already receive in the Muslim world.
It is actually anti-Christian of the Pope to not defend Christendom.
As I said, he is making a big mistake. I pray he figures it out right quick.
4 comments:
This is not just a bad idea, but a MAJOR shift from Benedict's statements since his papacy and for decades until. The book I'm reading, Without Roots (with Philosopher Marcello Pera):The West, Relativism, Christianity, Islam is unequivocal regarding the fact that Islam is an entirely different ball of wax, so to speak. Similarly, Benedict has minced no words regarding Turkey's attempts to join the EU and has stated clearly that they should seek alliance elsewhere.
Very troubling devopment Very troubling.
The IBA won't load up on my other browser....it's really annoying....I'm having to type on the other computer on the floor....is anyone else having trouble?
I hope this is a political maneuver from the Church: "See how well we treat and receive you in the West. We expect you to give the same respect to Christians in your countries". I am no great fan of the Catholic church - and I do expect some element of PC in the statements - but I do trust the church to be a staunch defender of traditional values. And in fact it is one of few establishments in Europe aware of the threat to western culture and thus Christianity. In the long run the church will openly become an ardent enemy of Islamism.
As Pastorious writes: "It is time to start deporting the Islamofascists in our midst". Yes, indeed. And it should start today.
I know where you're coming from, but what did you expect the German Shepherd to say? Being the Pope, has to preach about peace.
I think it's up to the politicians to make the laws that will deport these militant followers of islam, the "religion of peace".
Well, much of it is political maneuvering and contrasting the attitude towards other faiths by the West vs. the Islamic world. Plus, there is always the push for carrying on John PaulII's actions and speeches, when Benedict is a very different man. I think he is sending a powerful dual message on this one, actually. After all, he did choose a Papal name after other popes who had been strong in terms of defending Europe as well as St. Benedict, the patron saint of Western Europe. I think that we will hear more to follow this up. I do not like that he spoke about letting in more muslims, as this is both a bad idea and contrary to his earlier writings, but he has been rather a militant (for a Pope) Pope so far and I think we'll see more out of him that will be cause for cheer. Other than Santa Pope.
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