Pope In The Middle East

[Hesychios]

Every religion is an off-shoot of Catholicism. The Orthodox broke away in the year 1054 in unity with the pope.

This is hardly the case. I believe you have been corrected on this before.

Cardinals Humbert and Frederic pulled the Roman church out of the Orthodox communion while their own Pope was dead and lying cold in the grave. The senior churchman at that time in the entire Christian world (above all Cardinals at Rome) was the Ecumenical Patriarch at Constantinople, and your Cardinals had the temerity to abuse him and lie about him. Then they presented a phoney baloney ‘Papal’ Bull excommunicating him and all who follow him. This authority they did not have, as their legation ceased when their Patriarch passed away.

The church at Rome had ample time to correct this error, but when Cardinal Frederic was chosen Pope, he did not even try, he let his earlier blunder stand.

Even though most of the Orthodox patriarchates had tried to maintain communion with both Constantinople and Rome after Cardinals Humbert and Frederic’s little snit, over the next one hundred years the church at Rome managed to alienate the entire East. Even more so as it’s troops entered cities and deposed the sitting bishops, replacing them with Latin bishops with the approval of the Popes. The evil deeds of those days are the source of the schism, and they came from west to east.

It’s nice that the Pope is traveling around the east making friends, hopefully he will lead the church back to Orthodoxy.

 

[Hesychios]

I am sorry.

 

[OneTrueCathApos]

Is this thread about the Pope’s visit to the Middle East, or about rehashing differences between Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants? Let’s pick a topic and stick with it, folks.

There is a big story on the front page of today’s New York Times on the Pope’s visit to the holy land. The title of the article is “Mideast Christians Losing Numbers and Sway”.

I am glad that the Pope is so well-received by the king of Jordan and the religious leaders in Palestine, but like any highly publicized visit, if it doesn’t bring about any lasting change in the immigration patterns of Christians driven out of their homelands by Islamic extremism and political instability (and there’s no reason to expect that it will), then it will be all for naught. I am tired of photo ops and goodwill conferences while Nineveh is treated like a huge game of chess with bombs between Sunni Arabs and Kurds and nobody says anything about it (wouldn’t want to seem like we’re “playing favorites”, huh?), while Maronites are treated like begrudged guests of the Shia state of Hizbullahstan and we’re supposed to believe like there is no problem because the president is a Maronite, etc. What do nice words from the king of Jordan or correct but unheeded warnings from the Pope do about the political and social realities of the region? The leaders of these countries will listen to the Pope, maybe even truly agree with what he says (I think the king of Jordan is the genuine article with regard to his position on Christians in his kingdom), and business will go on as usual across the region, with mass immigration of Christians from the area being the result of an increasingly intolerant religious landscape.

Oh please…the New York Times is the biggest anti-Catholic newspaper going…I wouldn’t believe anything they say.

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

I just saw on EWTN, the pope in Jordan. He is the first pope ever to visit a modern mosque in Jordan. First a Malkite Catholic priest spoke for a while, then the Prince of Jordan got up and spoke and I liked most what he said to the pope in respect of the Catholic faith. He of course mentioned the pope’s speech as you recall from two years ago regarding Muslims which became controversial, even though they misunderstood him. The pope is brilliant, a philosopher, and an excellent writer.
The Prince went on to say he acknowledged that the pope IS the successor to St. Peter, that he IS the head of 1.1 Billion Catholics, and that he IS respected by the Muslim world. They were very kind to him and very respectful. He is also going to Israel and Palestine
I thought there was great dialogue. Too bad we all can’t just get along.
I don’t think the countries would accept any Protestant heads (are there any?) so graciously as they did our pope. No offense but because the Protestant religion isn’t the one established by Christ would be my thoughts about it…B]## If only those last two sentences had been left out Your post would have been the stronger for it - the Pope does not need to be praised by belittling anyone else. On the contrary.

Inside the Vatican, which has a web-site here:

• [http://www.insidethevatican.com/ (http://www.insidethevatican.com/)

will have full coverage of the Pope’s visit, in colour; it’s a very good magazine.

As a matter of fact, there is an Anglican presence in the Middle East - not only that, but during the rioting that followed the Regensburg lecture, a member of the Anglican clergy was killed. Anglicans could, if they were so inclined, object to having to pay the price for the utterances of a Catholic bishop - but that is not the Anglican way. Would Catholics have been equally forebearing if an Anglican bishop had made remarks that led, however unintentionally & innocently, to the death of a Catholic priest ? I wonder (FWIW, the Archbishop of Canterbury is intellectually no more of a slouch than the Pope - but he may be be too much of an academic to be a good communicator. That’s just a POI worth mentioning). A bit of research would probably reveal that quite a few Churches have a presence in the Middle East

 

[dvdjs]

This is hardly the case. I believe you have been corrected on this before.

Cardinals Humbert and Frederic pulled the Roman church out of the Orthodox communion while their own Pope was dead and lying cold in the grave. The senior churchman at that time in the entire Christian world (above all Cardinals at Rome) was the Ecumenical Patriarch at Constantinople, and your Cardinals had the temerity to abuse him and lie about him. Then they presented a phoney baloney ‘Papal’ Bull excommunicating him and all who follow him. This authority they did not have, as their legation ceased when their Patriarch passed away.

The church at Rome had ample time to correct this error, but when Cardinal Frederic was chosen Pope, he did not even try, he let his earlier blunder stand.

Even though most of the Orthodox patriarchates had tried to maintain communion with both Constantinople and Rome after Cardinals Humbert and Frederic’s little snit, over the next one hundred years the church at Rome managed to alienate the entire East. Even more so as it’s troops entered cities and deposed the sitting bishops, replacing them with Latin bishops with the approval of the Popes. The evil deeds of those days are the source of the schism, and they came from west to east.

It’s nice that the Pope is traveling around the east making friends, hopefully he will lead the church back to Orthodoxy.

I am aware form many posts that you have your own idiosyncratic view of history, so I don’t take the time to rebut, just to note that your little rant is littered with half-truths and outright falsehoods.

It is indeed nice that the Pope is working for the unity of all. The Orthodox pay lip service to this work, but put their energy into things like innovating theories about how, despite their history, they can be dismissive of sacramental grace in the Catholic church. Oh well we all have our own priorities.

 

[Muslim_Woman]

In the name of Allah , Most Gracious, Most Merciful

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/...goBlobs&blobwhere=1242219566334&ssbinary=true

In a world where more and more borders are being opened up…it is tragic to see walls still being erected," said Pope Benedict. (Reuters)

Pope Benedict XVI called on Wednesday, May 13, for an independent state for the Palestinian people, hoping the long-running siege slapped on the impoverished Gaza Strip would come to an end soon.

“The Holy See supports the right of your people to a sovereign Palestinian homeland in the land of your forefathers, secure and at peace with its neighbors, within internationally recognized borders,” he told a joint press conference with President Mahmoud Abbas.

“In particular I call on the international community to bring its influence to bear in favor of a solution.”

The pontiff offered his condolences to the victims of Israel’s recent war on Gaza, which killed more than 1,400 Palestinians, mostly women and children.

“To those among you who mourn the loss of family members and loved ones in the hostilities, particularly the recent conflict in Gaza, I offer an assurance of deep compassion and frequent remembrance in prayer.”

But he urged young Palestinians not to “allow the loss of life and the destruction that you have witnessed to arouse bitterness or resentment in your hearts.”

“Have the courage to resist any temptation you may feel to resort to acts of violence or terrorism. Instead, let what you have experienced renew your determination to build peace.”

Pope Benedict also called for lifting the long-running siege Israel has been clamping on the Gaza coastal enclave, home to some 1.6 million.

“Please be assured of my solidarity with you in the immense work of rebuilding which now lies ahead, and my prayers that the embargo will soon be lifted.”

Israel, backed by the US, has been closing the Gaza Strip’s exits to the outside world since Hamas took control of the territory in June 2007.

It has completely locked down the area since January, banning food and fuel shipment supplies.

Gaza Christians have regretted that the pope did not visit their bombed-out territory during his eight-day visit to the Holy Land.

“We would have liked him to come to Gaza to see how we live, the situation that we are in,” Nevinne, 38, one of 100 Christians that Israel allowed to leave Gaza for the visit, told Agence France-Presse (AFP).

“We are living under a blockade.”

Related Links

* Pope Visits Dome of The Rock Mosque
* Pope Snub Upsets Gaza Christians
* Palestinians Want Pope against Wall
* Israel “Suffocates” Jesus Birthplace: UN
* Bethlehem Christians Mourn Jihad Leader

islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1239888880188&pagename=Zone-English-News/NWELayout

 

[Hesychios]

I am aware form many posts that you have your own idiosyncratic view of history, so I don’t take the time to rebut, just to note that your little rant is littered with half-truths and outright falsehoods.

Always nice to hear from you :juggle:

 

[Sam_777]

Thank you Pope Benedict XVI for your visit to the Jews and Muslims, I’ve watched you on TV, your kind words, behaviour, and wisdom, were truly great, thank you again and I wish one day to be baptised under you hands.

 

[dolphinlove]

Thank you Pope Benedict XVI for your visit to the Jews and Muslims, I’ve watched you on TV, your kind words, behaviour, and wisdom, were truly great, thank you again and I wish one day to be baptised under you hands.

Nothing is every impossible for the true believer of Jesus.
Next time your out of SA, write a letter to the Vatican and tell them your story, who knows, he might want to baptize you!