Catholic & Orthodox patriarchs urges Christians to join moderate Muslims in campaign against extremists
June 22, 2015
The Catholic and Orthodox Patriarchs of Antioch have called upon Christians to work with moderate Muslims against the rise of religious extremism.
Noting that many Muslims are “working with their leaders to confront and completely eradicate” jihadist ideology, the prelates argue in a joint pastoral message that Christians should support that effort. “It is high time to confront Takfiri ideology, to dry out its well-springs,” they write.
(Takfari thought is a militant branch of Sunni Islam that calls for violence jihad and condemns any moderating trends.)
The pastoral message was signed by Melkite Catholic Patriarch Gregory III, Syrian Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius Efrem II, Greek Orthodox Patriarch John X, Maronite Catholic Patriarch Beshara al Rai, and Syriac Catholic Patriarch Joseph III Younan.
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