George Cardinal Pell, Archbishop of Sydney, Statement on Pope Benedict's Remarks

[gilliam]

Statement
By + Cardinal George Pell Archbishop of Sydney 18 September 2006
It is a sign of hope that no organised violence has flared here in Australia, following Pope Benedict’s recent comments.

No one compared the Pope to Hitler or Mussolini (as in Turkey) or called for his murder as Sheik Malin did in Somalia. No group like the League of Jihadists in Iraq promised “that the soldiers of Mohammed will come sooner or later to shake your throne and the foundations of your state”.

However the violent reactions in many parts of the Islamic world justified one of Pope Benedict’s main fears. They showed the link for many Islamists between religion and violence, their refusal to respond to criticism with rational arguments, but only with demonstrations, threats and actual violence.

…

The responses of Sheik al-Hilali, Australia’s mufti, in particular, and even Dr. Ameer Ali of the Prime Minister’s Muslim Reference Group were unfortunately typical and unhelpful. It is always some one else’s fault and issues touching on the nature of Islam are ignored.

sydney.catholic.org.au/News/MR/2006918_1588.shtml

 

[Gerry_Hunter]

Three hearty cheers for Cardinal Pell!

[SIGN]Hurray[/SIGN] [SIGN]Hurray[/SIGN] [SIGN]Hurray[/SIGN]

Blessings,

Gerry

 

[Eden]

Very Good. Why does it seems statements by leaders seem to be so few and far between? In the lull, it seems all we can hear is the rattling of teeth.

 

[T.A.Stobie_SFO]

I think that FEAR of Violence keeps many people including peaceful Muslims from speaking up against the irrational violence advocated by some Muslim extremists. If everyone would speak up including Muslims, it might get the extremists to think more about their position and possibly bring about conversion of their souls away from the path of violence.

 

[Elzee]

Three hearty cheers for Cardinal Pell!

[sign]Hurray[/sign] [sign]Hurray[/sign] [sign]Hurray[/sign]

Blessings,

Gerry

Ditto that! I wish we would hear the same strong support from our American Bishops. Anybody heard anything?

 

[stellina]

I saw a shortened version of this on EWTN’s website. Bravo for Cardinal Pell, who obviously doesn’t pull any punches. How right he is when he says “it’s always someone else’s fault”.

 

[roymckenzie]

I think that FEAR of Violence keeps many people including peaceful Muslims from speaking up against the irrational violence advocated by some Muslim extremists. If everyone would speak up including Muslims, it might get the extremists to think more about their position and possibly bring about conversion of their souls away from the path of violence.

I love George Cardinal Pell and need to include him in my nightly prayers.

I think I disagree with the previous poster. I believe there are individual Muslim people that are very peaceful people. I also believe the Islamic faith is violent and not well suited for ecumenism if you like I can quote the Koran or the Hadith in context to bolster my assertion.

 

[CreosMary]

Three hearty cheers for Cardinal Pell!

[sign]Hurray[/sign] [sign]Hurray[/sign] [sign]Hurray[/sign]

Blessings,

Gerry

We can thank God for Cardinal Pell, those coming to WYD08 will get to hear and see this great man. We are very blessed in Australia to have him!