Prominent Italian Muslim convert renounces Catholic faith
March 25, 2013
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Magdi Allam, a prominent Italian journalist who converted from Islam to Christianity, has announced that he is leaving the Catholic Church because Catholic leaders have not been strong enough in their opposition to Islam.
Allam was baptized by Pope Benedict XVI in March 2008, and his conversion prompted angry denunciations from Muslim leaders. A few months later, the new convert caused headlines again when he criticized Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran was saying that terrorist violence is a betrayal of the true Islamic faith. In fact, Allam countered, "Islamic extremism and terrorism are the mature fruit" of that religious tradition.
Eight years after his conversion, Allam said that the "euphoria over Pope Francis" convinced him that Catholicism is not strong enough to counter the "intrinsically violent ideology" of Islam.
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Further information:
- A prominent convert leaves the church (John Thavis)
- Muslim leaders rap publicity on Allam's conversion (CWN, 3/25/08)
- Muslim convert criticizes cardinal, says terrorism is ‘mature fruit of Islam’ (CWN 10/30/08)
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Posted by: Thomas429 -
Mar. 26, 2013 3:15 AM ET USA
ur Mother Church seems to have trouble recognizing its friends and enemies. She is intent on being harder on some of its fellow Christian denominations and Jews than it is on Muslims and Socialists. I know that socialism is not a religion in the sense of following God, a god, or gods. But it does worship materialistic things, Our Mother is also forgeting her trials at the hands of Muslims, socialists, Fascists, and statists by many other names. So many Holy Places have been destroyed by Muslims.
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Posted by: jg23753479 -
Mar. 25, 2013 7:59 PM ET USA
Two things strike me here: one, this fellow's conversion was hardly genuine. If it had been, even a pope's mistakes in politics would not convince him to leave the Church. And, two, the pope is probably making a tactical error concerning Islam, one he will quickly perceive with experience. Regardless of how many joint projects he initiates with certain Muslims, that religion's determination to dominate the world will not disappear. Good will gestures will not change anything substantial.
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Posted by: jeremiahjj -
Mar. 25, 2013 7:45 PM ET USA
Let's see, the man who renounced Islam for Catholicism is now renouncing Catholicism because the Christian faith didn't stand in opposition to Islam strongly enough. Perhaps the gentleman should go back and read the Christian tenant on forgiveness and lack of violence. We do not behead our opponents after the manner of radical Islam.
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Posted by: mario.f.leblanc5598 -
Mar. 25, 2013 4:35 PM ET USA
Martin Luther and Henry VIII also believed they had good reasons to leave the Church. Let us pray for this guy to see he is making a great mistake, shifting away from He who has the Words of Eternal Life.
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Posted by: Defender -
Mar. 25, 2013 3:22 PM ET USA
There have been years and years of wishful thinking by many who seem to have blindfolds on and play the game of political correctness. Look at just the past few years to what has happened and who controls or rules countries. Look further back and see how violence then has brought continued violence today. Look into a future that is certain to bring more of the same. The Church needs the strong leadership it once possessed to call it like it is.
