Priests and bishops refuse to baptize Muslim converts to Christianity, for fear of the consequences

[Shellac]

France: Priests and bishops refuse to baptize Muslim converts to Christianity, for fear of the consequences

Why do Muslims engage in violent intimidation? Because it works. Until people are willing to stand up and defy it, it will continue to work. “Christians and Muslims from Algeria to Italy in the footsteps of Saint Augustine,” from Asia News, August 13 (thanks to Twostellas):

Rome (AsiaNews) - A group of Christians and Muslims from Algeria, Morocco and France have planned a pilgrimage in the footsteps of Saint Augustine, their countryman, that will lead them to Milan and Pavia, where the remains of the North African saint of Hippo lie. There are several Muslim converts to Christianity among the group, some for over 40 years, others for just over a year.

It is the first time that Christians of North Africa have ever organized a similar pilgrimage. It will take them from August 26 to 28 to Milan, where Augustine was baptized by Ambrose in 387, to Pavia and the basilica of san Pietro in Ciel d'Oro (see photo), which houses his remains in time to take part in local celebrations, the feast of the saint on August 28.

The group has long desired to make this pilgrimage and had also wanted to include an audience with the pope. Among the pilgrims, 17 are of North African origin, 14 are converts from Islam and two are catechumens. There is also a future seminarian; the other 10 are of French origin, all accompanied by Fr Alexis Doucet, S.J.

To mark the occasion a medal bearing a Berber cross was coined, which will be handed to participants at the end of the pilgrimage.

Among the expressed intentions of the pilgrimage is that "Muslims who have heard the call of the Lord Jesus should not be prohibited from entering the Church." The idea refers to some episodes that have occurred in France and Algeria, where many Muslims who wanted to be baptized, have been impeded by priests and bishops, fearful of the consequences and overly precautious....

Posted by Robert on August 13, 2010 11:19 AM

I would like to think that this is not true.

 

[the_7th_one]

France: Priests and bishops refuse to baptize Muslim converts to Christianity, for fear of the consequences

Why do Muslims engage in violent intimidation? Because it works. Until people are willing to stand up and defy it, it will continue to work. “Christians and Muslims from Algeria to Italy in the footsteps of Saint Augustine,” from Asia News, August 13 (thanks to Twostellas):

Rome (AsiaNews) - A group of Christians and Muslims from Algeria, Morocco and France have planned a pilgrimage in the footsteps of Saint Augustine, their countryman, that will lead them to Milan and Pavia, where the remains of the North African saint of Hippo lie. There are several Muslim converts to Christianity among the group, some for over 40 years, others for just over a year.

It is the first time that Christians of North Africa have ever organized a similar pilgrimage. It will take them from August 26 to 28 to Milan, where Augustine was baptized by Ambrose in 387, to Pavia and the basilica of san Pietro in Ciel d'Oro (see photo), which houses his remains in time to take part in local celebrations, the feast of the saint on August 28.

The group has long desired to make this pilgrimage and had also wanted to include an audience with the pope. Among the pilgrims, 17 are of North African origin, 14 are converts from Islam and two are catechumens. There is also a future seminarian; the other 10 are of French origin, all accompanied by Fr Alexis Doucet, S.J.

To mark the occasion a medal bearing a Berber cross was coined, which will be handed to participants at the end of the pilgrimage.

Among the expressed intentions of the pilgrimage is that "Muslims who have heard the call of the Lord Jesus should not be prohibited from entering the Church." The idea refers to some episodes that have occurred in France and Algeria, where many Muslims who wanted to be baptized, have been impeded by priests and bishops, fearful of the consequences and overly precautious....

Posted by Robert on August 13, 2010 11:19 AM

I would like to think that this is not true.

I’m sure there are some priests and maybe some bishops that think if you “play nice” this Muslim terror will pass in time and we can baptize later… But it but it will only pass when we stand up to them and for what we as Catholic Christians belive. We their brothers and sisters in Christ need to urge the clergy to do the will of Christ with our prayers words and deeds. Look at the saints in the Middle Ages over the question of the Pope returning to Rome as our guide.

 

[VetA]

France: Priests and bishops refuse to baptize Muslim converts to Christianity, for fear of the consequences

Why do Muslims engage in violent intimidation? Because it works. Until people are willing to stand up and defy it, it will continue to work. “Christians and Muslims from Algeria to Italy in the footsteps of Saint Augustine,” from Asia News, August 13 (thanks to Twostellas):

Rome (AsiaNews) - A group of Christians and Muslims from Algeria, Morocco and France have planned a pilgrimage in the footsteps of Saint Augustine, their countryman, that will lead them to Milan and Pavia, where the remains of the North African saint of Hippo lie. There are several Muslim converts to Christianity among the group, some for over 40 years, others for just over a year.

It is the first time that Christians of North Africa have ever organized a similar pilgrimage. It will take them from August 26 to 28 to Milan, where Augustine was baptized by Ambrose in 387, to Pavia and the basilica of san Pietro in Ciel d'Oro (see photo), which houses his remains in time to take part in local celebrations, the feast of the saint on August 28.

The group has long desired to make this pilgrimage and had also wanted to include an audience with the pope. Among the pilgrims, 17 are of North African origin, 14 are converts from Islam and two are catechumens. There is also a future seminarian; the other 10 are of French origin, all accompanied by Fr Alexis Doucet, S.J.

To mark the occasion a medal bearing a Berber cross was coined, which will be handed to participants at the end of the pilgrimage.

Among the expressed intentions of the pilgrimage is that "Muslims who have heard the call of the Lord Jesus should not be prohibited from entering the Church." The idea refers to some episodes that have occurred in France and Algeria, where many Muslims who wanted to be baptized, have been impeded by priests and bishops, fearful of the consequences and overly precautious....

Posted by Robert on August 13, 2010 11:19 AM

I would like to think that this is not true.

sounds like one of those rare situations where it might be possible for a member of the laity to baptize, whats at stake are not mere politics but the salvation of someones soul

 

[Stylites]

Being the “In The News” forum, is this a news article where you could attribute a link to?

 

[ElizabethPH]

What priests prohibited Muslim conversions and what are they afraid of the consequences being?

 

[texasnan]

France: Priests and bishops refuse to baptize Muslim converts to Christianity, for fear of the consequences.

Source, please?

 

[canadianguy1143]

Source, please?

I found the source. Perhaps the OP forgot to include it.

asianews.it/news-en/Christians-and-Muslims-from-Algeria-to-Italy-in-the-footsteps-of-Saint-Augustine-19190.html

Among the expressed intentions of the pilgrimage is that “Muslims who have heard the call of the Lord Jesus should not be prohibited from entering the Church.” The idea refers to some episodes that have occurred in France and Algeria, where many Muslims who wanted to be baptized, have been impeded by priests and bishops, fearful of the consequences and overly precautious.

This is incredibly disturbing.

 

[Stylites]

I found the source. Perhaps the OP forgot to include it. …

This is incredibly disturbing.

The title of the thread doesn’t match the news article’s title. The purported issue of some Muslim converts not being allowed into the Church at some point in time and in some place is still unattributed for independent verification.

 

[KathleenGee]

It is very disturbing…the world is indeed getting smaller…

However, there is baptism of desire…these Muslims are baptized by their desire…

It is only a matter of time…we have individuals here who have lived in America for 20 years, and then suddenly go insane, take their cars or weapons and kill innocent people. I think it is a sham. I know we have 5th column already here.

 

[Araninski]

This is very sad indeed, and also there have been a lot of Christians murdered this year, dying for Gospel our Lord commanded us to preach, but that’s the way it is, we can’t let that fear stop us from getting people into the Christian Faith.

 

[Byzantine_Wolf]

Can you imagine if the early church operated this way?

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

Then Peter looked to and fro, and, leaning towards the people, whispered, “But, uh, I can’t baptize you right now, or the Sanhedrin might kill us. Try again next year.”

 

[Dale_M]

Of course, the article doesn’t say that the pilgrims will be denied baptism. What is claims, vaguely, is that in the past Muslims have been denied baptism.

I think the article is irresponsible to make such a claim, and yet provide no examples or links. I think such things are necessary to give readers a better understanding of what happened, where it happened, and when it happened.

Essentially, the claim has no more legitimacy than a rumor. I normally have a high opinion of AsiaNews. They bring information to the Western world that other news media do not. However, this particular article, which its extreme claim made without evidence, does not reflect well on the news organization.