Benedict on London

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HagiaSophia

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One of the first messages from foreign dignitaries received in London following the subway and bus bombings Thursday was from Pope Benedict XVI.

****Addressed to the Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, it said the pope deplored the terrorist attack as “anti-human and anti-Christian.”

****A Vatican source said yesterday the pope’s message was consistent with his perception of militant Islam as a threat to Christian values and the Christian way of life, particularly in Europe.

****Benedict believes the Islamic terrorism is directed against Christianity, the source said.

****His predecessor, Pope John Paul II, adopted a consistent line of conciliation toward Islam, visiting the Grand Mosque in Damascus, Syria, and encouraging dialogue between the Vatican and Muslims, some of them radicals.
****Benedict has said little on the issue, except to extend a hand of friendship to all religions.

****But if the past is anything to go by, Benedict, while no less charitable, is likely to take what could be called a firmer line toward Islamic fundamentalism.

washtimes.com/world/20050708-110916-3371r.htm
 
An early draft of Pope Benedict XVI’s telegram of condolence for the London bombings referred to the terrorist strikes as “anti-Christian”, but the final version stopped at condemning them as “anti-human”.

The National Catholic Reporter reported on the significance of the revision, which averted the scenario that would have had the Pope subscribing to the “clash of civilisations” version of events, thereby provoking hostility from the Muslim world.

The Reporter’s John Allen says that that draft was prepared by the Secretary of State, Italian Cardinal Angelo Sodano, and not by the pope.

"In the telegram as it was released by the Vatican Press Office mid-afternoon Thursday, after the pope had reviewed it, Benedict instead defined the bombings as “barbaric acts against humanity.”

“The phrase ‘anti-Christian’ seemed to evoke images of a ‘clash of civilisations’ between Islamic radicals and the Christian West, perhaps signaling a stronger line on Islam from the Vatican. It would have made Benedict the first, and only, Western leader to signal a specifically religious dimension to the attacks that left more than 50 people dead and hundreds more wounded.”

Allen says that confusion over the wording of the telegram produced a “Vatican mini-drama” on Thursday and Friday.

cathnews.com/news/507/52.php
 
Best not to feed the media. It too is anti-Christian and will take offense.
 
Using “anti-Christian” would have been in error, anyway. The UK of today has very few Christians. Al-Qa’idah would hardly be targeting them exclusively.
 
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Richardols:
Using “anti-Christian” would have been in error, anyway. The UK of today has very few Christians. Al-Qa’idah would hardly be targeting them exclusively.
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There is no need to exaggerate – the cultural Christian ethos is still very evident in many places and among many resident – some practice well, some practice cafeteria style, some are cultural only --as for AQ --I take many of their statements mean what they say they mean – their remarks about Italy being next certainly ought to give you pause for thought on your “thesis”.
 
They don’t use the word “crusader” to describe those in the west who oppose them for no reason.
 
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