what the man said
By Diogenes (articles ) | September 13, 2006 12:09 PM
Twice in the past week, the new director of the Vatican press office, Father Federico Lombardi, has told reporters that the Pope is not criticizing the Islamic faith. See today's CWN story for the latest instance in which the papal spokesman appears to be anxiously softening the Pontiff's words.
There are different strands of Islam, Father Lombardi said; some are non-violent.
Good. Now compare that with the words of Emperor Manuel II Paleologus, quoted by the Pope with obvious approval:
Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.
OK, Father Lombardi, explain that away.
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Posted by: -
Sep. 16, 2006 2:07 PM ET USA
If the Muslims insist that they are correct in using the sword as a religious device for advancing Allah's will, do they expect us to follow their example? That sounds like what we know in our country as suicide by police. The problem is eventually solved but they become martyrs. God is love, not war. Let them exhibit the love and peace of God which they say is their religion.
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Posted by: Vincit omnia amor -
Sep. 15, 2006 11:25 AM ET USA
or, has Patrick noted that that "fatwa" was issued 4 years after the events of 9-11. Anyway, regarding Pope Benedicts comments: Peter should not, nor does he have a reason to, apologize.
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Posted by: Laity1 -
Sep. 15, 2006 8:43 AM ET USA
Admitting my ignorance, I'd like to ask: Can anyone issue a Fatwa? Do Fatwas ever conflict? If so, can there be reconcilliation or resolution?
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Posted by: popsk -
Sep. 15, 2006 7:58 AM ET USA
Patrick -- have you noticed any cessation in islamo-fascist attacks since this fatwa was issues in JULY 2005??? "Islam strictly condemns religious extremism and the use of violence against innocent lives. There is no justification in Islam for extremism or terrorism. Targeting civilians' life and property through suicide bombings or any other method of attack is haram – or forbidden - and those who commit these barbaric acts are criminals, not 'martyrs'.
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Posted by: Patrick461 -
Sep. 14, 2006 5:40 PM ET USA
This is for John J Plick and other with similar opinions: 'The Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) today released a fatwa or Islamic religious ruling, against terrorism and extremism. The fatwa was sponsored by CAIR and Islamic Society of North America and endorsed by more than 120 U.S. Muslim groups, leaders and institutions. (The term "fiqh" refers to Islamic jurisprudence.)' see: http://isna.net/index.php?id=35&backPID=1&tt_news=286
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Posted by: John J Plick -
Sep. 14, 2006 4:54 PM ET USA
I get tired of hearing over and over and OVER again that SOME Muslims are "non-violent." Some are "non-violent" I fear until they acheive a majority and then they "morph" like grasshoppers into locusts, overwhelming the society that they have "resided" in. Do you see ANY Muslims condenming 9-11 forcefully...militantly??? I don't.
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Posted by: 123456 -
Sep. 14, 2006 12:30 PM ET USA
With all due respect to Uncle Di & Phil, CWNews has missed the primary point of the Islam reference in B XVI's address; & the readership is being sent down the wrong trail. (I believe Uncle Di reads German. I do, too.) B XVI actually took a subtle jibe at Manuel for stating his own position more carefully than Islam's. B XVI's thrust: The Church & the West must respond 'forcefully' to Islam in the academy; but modernist bashing of our Greco-Latin heritage is hindering us badly in the effort.
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Posted by: Cupertino -
Sep. 14, 2006 11:26 AM ET USA
The Jesuit spokesman can't explain it away! Benedict is a treasure and leading from the top as the Pope should. Islam imposed through violence is identified and reprobated by the head of the Church. This should make it easier for all of us to speak openly about what we face and the voices of uncritical pacifism can now be confronted in the Church using higher authority - The Pope.
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Posted by: Grotto -
Sep. 14, 2006 1:50 AM ET USA
Isam is a two sided religion, having a pacifistic side but a very violent side as well. I suggest this book for a good insite into the violent side. The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades) (Paperback) by Robert Spencer Emperor Manuel II Paleologus and the Holy Father are justly slamming the violent side. I too am getting to like this Pope immensely. His talks and homilies on this trip are wonderful and he is not afraid to "tell it like it is." Paul
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Posted by: Cantor Rich -
Sep. 14, 2006 1:02 AM ET USA
Sorry, Pat, but it is hardly an insult when the criticism is absolute truth. Islam is nothing more than an evil heresy of Christianity, and Manuel II was on the beam when he pointed this out. And so is the Holy Father. Personally, I don't have much hope that Fr Lombardi will pan out; it seems that he doesn't have faith that the Holy Father knows whereof he speaks.
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Posted by: Ephod -
Sep. 13, 2006 11:33 PM ET USA
Sometimes I wonder about the naivite of some of the posts on this site. The whole point of the Holy Father and Manuel II is not that there isn't some truth in Islam, but that what Islam didn't take from Christianity and Judaism is bad. Compare the Koran to almost any Hindu scripture, the K. comes off looking quite sensible. Error is error, but some errors have much more of the Truth in them than others. I see no substantive contradiction between Lombardi and the Holy Father.
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Posted by: Gino -
Sep. 13, 2006 7:13 PM ET USA
Sadly the new press officer for the Vatican is a Jesuit. There is no telling about some "interpretations" we are going to hear.
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Posted by: parochus -
Sep. 13, 2006 4:45 PM ET USA
Would that be Paul Joseph Jean Cardinal Poupard Paleologus?
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Posted by: Patrick461 -
Sep. 13, 2006 3:58 PM ET USA
Although the statement by Emperor Manuel II Paleologus ends with an example -- the "command to spread by the sword the faith he preached" -- he begins with a general statement, "Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman." There are many ways to insult Islam, but surely this has to be one of the sharpest.
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Posted by: -
Sep. 13, 2006 3:22 PM ET USA
Even the Pope cant get people on his team who follow his leadership - no wonder many of our very good bishops seem ineffective when faced with a diocesan staff and presbyterate in open rebellion. We better start praying for the poor man who takes over here in Los Angeles - Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows - Pray for us on your feast day - Feb 27, 2011.
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Posted by: -
Sep. 13, 2006 1:25 PM ET USA
I thought Lombardi said he wasn't going to be an "interpreter" for the Pope. I heard the Pope's lecture at Regensburg and he was very clear when he quoted Emperor Manuel II. Violence has no part of the nature of God or of the soul. And it was clear that Benedict endorsed that concept and that it was aimed at Islam.
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Posted by: Pseudodionysius -
Sep. 13, 2006 1:11 PM ET USA
Paleologus was complaining about the assortment of after dinner mints.
