Did the Pope bow down to pressure?

[Joe_Dunelm]

Is the Pope really that smart?

Maybe

This pope is a lot ‘smarter’ than most of is predecessors. I don’t believe for one moment that he did not know what he was doing/saying. It’s just a pity that other bishops (and, for that matter, politicians) don’t have the strength of character of this educated man, well-versed in Islam, and willing to state the differences between faith and reason, and faith and violence.

Being ‘sorry’ for unintentionally offending the sensibilities of people is not tantamount to apologising for the truth. In a very nuanced, and reflective way, the Holy Father spoke the truth without imputing to himself hatred of Muslims - rather hatred of violence, as we should all equally espouse, in my view.

To those who suggest the Holy Father is guilty of the deaths of the nun and others, or for the ensuing violence, I would suggest that they themselves are somewhat lacking in knowledge, love and intelligence of the real situation.

May God grant Pope Benedict XVI long life and length of days to lead us out of this dreadful turmoil, relatavism and hatred the world is currently suffering, as his great predecessor did in relation to communism.

 

[bones_IV]

This pope is a lot ‘smarter’ than most of is predecessors. I don’t believe for one moment that he did not know what he was doing/saying. It’s just a pity that other bishops (and, for that matter, politicians) don’t have the strength of character of this educated man, well-versed in Islam, and willing to state the differences between faith and reason, and faith and violence.

Being ‘sorry’ for unintentionally offending the sensibilities of people is not tantamount to apologising for the truth. In a very nuanced, and reflective way, the Holy Father spoke the truth without imputing to himself hatred of Muslims - rather hatred of violence, as we should all equally espouse, in my view.

To those who suggest the Holy Father is guilty of the deaths of the nun and others, or for the ensuing violence, I would suggest that they themselves are somewhat lacking in knowledge, love and intelligence of the real situation.

May God grant Pope Benedict XVI long life and length of days to lead us out of this dreadful turmoil, relatavism and hatred the world is currently suffering, as his great predecessor did in relation to communism.

I hope so too. He needs all the prayers he can get. We all need them.

 

[contemplative]

How so … on both counts? I didn’t see their original response.

You would have to listen to the TV newsbroadcast for answers to your question.
ewtn.com/vondemand/audio/SeriesSearchprog.asp?SeriesID=-6892288&NewList=&T1=world~over
I am guessing it is the September 22nd edition.

Misinterpretation of Pope Benedict Speech in Germany.

At approximately 54minutes into the program you will hear Fr. Richard John Neuhaus give his interpretation…sad but predictable of the US Bishops.

 

[contemplative]

You would have to listen to the TV newsbroadcast for answers to your question.
ewtn.com/vondemand/audio/SeriesSearchprog.asp?SeriesID=-6892288&NewList=&T1=world~over
I am guessing it is the September 22nd edition.

Misinterpretation of Pope Benedict Speech in Germany.

At approximately 54minutes into the program you will hear Fr. Richard John Neuhaus give his interpretation…sad but predictable of the US Bishops.

Correction…the issue is at 41 minutes into the broadcast.

 

[contemplative]

How so … on both counts? I didn’t see their original response.

This is a link to Bishop Skylstad’s statement.

usccb.org/comm/archives/2006/06-180.shtml

“It is this attitude of the Holy Father that deserves the world’s attention rather than the centuries-old words of another which express a point of view that we cannot deny existed but which no longer motivates the authentic Christian.”

I am not certain if this is the original statement given…

 

[Elzee]

Just listened to it. Once again, I’m disappointed at the lack of backbone in our US Bishops.
And this time, it’s at the personal expense of our Holy Father.

I wish we could lock all (well, many) of our US Bishpos in a room with Father Corapi, Tim Staples, Fr Larry Richards, and Jesse Romero for one week. Seven days with all four of these guys and they’re bound to come out on fire.

 

[stellina]

The Pope could’ve said what he wanted to get across without using the inflamatory text that he used.

A nun died because of his words. Churches were burned and Christians living in hostile Islamic areas of the world, had to go into hiding.

If the Pope’s intent was to get a reaction, he did so recklessly and at the cost of other’s lives.

What an awful thing to say. To come on a Catholic forum and openly blame the Pope for what has happened is pure provocation.Claiming that the Italian nun’s murder and the burning of churches in Islamic countries is anything but the fault of evil people who justify every savage act they commit by claiming it is “the will of Allah” is blatantly wrong. Direct your self-righteous anger where it belongs, i.e. toward the radical Muslims who kill innocent people like flies.

 

[stellina]

He never retracted his comments. Now he is embracing the people he offended in love. -D

Killing them with kindness, I would say! Benedict knew exactly what he was doing the entire time. Now, with the eyes of the world upon him, he is showing how true Christianity works.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

What an awful thing to say. To come on a Catholic forum and openly blame the Pope for what has happened is pure provocation.Claiming that the Italian nun’s murder and the burning of churches in Islamic countries is anything but the fault of evil people who justify every savage act they commit by claiming it is “the will of Allah” is blatantly wrong. Direct your self-righteous anger where it belongs, i.e. toward the radical Muslims who kill innocent people like flies.

I’m not blaming the Pope for the violence committed by others, but the Pope can be blamed for using language that predictably would cause an uproar in Islamic nations.

Even the Pope himself said that he is saddened that his words caused such anger.

The Pope is the world leader of the Roman Catholic Church. His words can have devastating effects on Catholics living in hostile areas of the world. He can not ignore this reality.

If he deliberately used this language to evoke a responce, then it was a stupid callous decision.

However, I don’t think this was his purpose and the words he used were done from an intellectual point of view, which he naively believed would merely open dialog on the subject, between Muslims and the Church.

 

[cathgal]

I’m not blaming the Pope for the violence committed by others, but the Pope can be blamed for using language that predictably would cause an uproar in Islamic nations.

Even the Pope himself said that he is saddened that his words caused such anger.

He’s saddened that they didn’t see the connection between faith and reason, NOT because he proclaimed the truth.

The Pope is the world leader of the Roman Catholic Church. His words can have devastating effects on Catholics living in hostile areas of the world. He can not ignore this reality.

If he deliberately used this language to evoke a responce, then it was a stupid callous decision.

Are you saying Catholics have been in a comfort zone before the Pope’s comment?
If not, why should it makes a difference now. What is truly the reality? Certainly not a peaceful Islamic world. Maybe you’re not being persecuted for being a non-Muslim, but what about those being persecuted? Likely they’re thankful that someone finally speak up for them. Let’s not forget the oppressed for the sake of the non-oppressed.
You don’t think the Pope also risk his life in proclaiming the truth? It takes alot of courage to do what he did.
That says alot about the man himself.

However, I don’t think this was his purpose and the words he used were done from an intellectual point of view, which he naively believed would merely open dialog on the subject, between Muslims and the Church.

Pardon the Pope for naively believing that Muslims also has the capability to reason like we do. I guess they’re just like animals after all.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Are you saying Catholics have been in a comfort zone before the Pope’s comment?
If not, why should it makes a difference now. What is truly the reality? Certainly not a peaceful Islamic world.

In today’s current climate, Catholics are living in fear in the Middle East. Fanning the flames of violence isn’t going to benefit them, that’s for sure.

You don’t think the Pope also risk his life in proclaiming the truth? It takes alot of courage to do what he did.

The Pope has a lot more security than those living in the Middle East, who will suffer from his words.

Pardon the Pope for naively believing that Muslims also has the capability to reason like we do. I guess they’re just like animals after all.

You spout this bigotry while at the same time calling yourself a Christian?

 

[cathgal]

In today’s current climate, Catholics are living in fear in the Middle East. Fanning the flames of violence isn’t going to benefit them, that’s for sure.

How would you know ? Has the truth been proclaim publicly?
Just because you don’t think it’ll benefit doesn’t mean the truth shouldn’t be exposed.
That’s like saying the weak shouldn’t fight the strong so why not just surrender.
You do what you gotta do, regardless. At least there’s a chance of something good coming of it.

The Pope has a lot more security than those living in the Middle East, who will suffer from his words.

Well, he’s an important figure. And the truth coming from him mean more than if you were to proclaim that same truth. But it’s still a risk to his life.
If they carry out their threat, they wouldn’t use a regular gunman as they would a civilian. Maybe an expert assassin?

You spout this bigotry while at the same time calling yourself a Christian?

Don’t get me wrong. My implication is that the Pope gives the Muslims more credit than you do.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

How would you know ? Has the truth been proclaim publicly?
Just because you don’t think it’ll benefit doesn’t mean the truth shouldn’t be exposed.

The truth can be spoken without inflamitory language, which the Pope did used. “evil and inhumane,” in the description of anyone’s religion, isn’t going to win friends, regardless of how truthful it is.

Well, he’s an important figure. And the truth coming from him mean more than if you were to proclaim that same truth. But it’s still a risk to his life.
If they carry out their threat, they wouldn’t use a regular gunman as they would a civilian. Maybe an expert assassin?

They’ll probably attack the Vatican in general. Which means, people will die and possibly the Pope.

Don’t get me wrong. My implication is that the Pope gives the Muslims more credit than you do.

I don’t understant what you mean by this statement? What credit is the Pope giving to Muslims that I’m not?