Should the Pope apologize?

[djrakowski]

Of course, the Holy Father should not apologize.

Isn’t it interesting that the radical Muslims are sort-of proving his point? “Stop saying we’re violent or we’ll kill you!” Uh-huh

 

[Gilbert_Keith]

I admire this pope now more than ever.

And contrary to some Catholics, I think telling the truth will set us free in the end, even if that truth is painfully clear.

 

[mark_a]

The AP reported today:

“Palestinian Muslims hurled firebombs and opened fire at five churches in the West Bank and Gaza Strip Saturday to protest the Pope’s comments, sparking concerns of a rift between Palestinian Muslims and Christians.”

The pope has relayed the truth.

 

[DOMONIC]

The Pope is the humanly Father of christianity and he believes this and as Catholic’s so should we. Islam is not an issue for us or the Holy Father . This is an attack on Christ and Christs Church. Our whole ethos and basis of our faith is that we hold the truth !!! too much ecumenism in our faith at present… This Pope stands for truth and ‘TRUE FAITH’ and he will get the truth across but we must stand by him

BRING BACK THE VATICAN STATES OF THE WORLD!!!

 

[valient_Lucy]

Hi,

I was wondering what all of you thought about this. On the news this am, they were satying that the muslim community wants an apology from the Pope.

As you all know Im not catholic, but Im not sure about this. The truth hurts sometimes. I think I agree with the Pope on this.

Do you guys think the Pope should apologize?

Peace

ALLFORHIM

At this point, I have not read the speech in which the quote was made. As such, I do not know exactly why he chose the quote the emperor, what context in which he quoted him, or why he chose that quote.
As such, I am witholding my own comments about the article, since I do not know all of the facts.
He may very well need to apologize, I don’t know. I would certainly support such a decision. Catholics, as you know, do not believe that the pope is without sin, and perfect in every single way. (I believe Pope John Paul went to confession every week.) He is still a human being, and capable of sins and mistakes in judgement. Infallibillity only applies in very, very, narrow cases. (There have only been two infallible statements made in the past 150 years.) This may indeed be one of those mistakes in judgements which needs an apology But then again, it may not; I don’t know all of the facts.

 

[The_Catholic]

From what I understand the Pope said “Islam hasn’t brought nothing new into the world but the sword.” I don’t think these are the exact words but something along those lines. I need to actualy check it out myself. But if this is all there is, I don’t think he should apologize at all! Isn’t it true? I know there are peace loving Muslims, but why is it when you say one wrong word or commit one wrong deed against them they are up in arms with the sword, burning churches, protesting etc.? Why not settle the matters that bother them by love and conversation?

I read a quote in a book written by a peace loving Muslim who said: “Not all Muslims are terrorists, but all terrorists are Muslims.” That’s strange to me.

 

[proudnifi]

The furor is about a quote that the Pope quoted - B16 didn’t directly say anything about Islam bringing in the sword or violence. He also characterized the quote in question with a word translated as brusque.

 

[Mattapoisett64]

Of course, the Holy Father should not apologize.

Isn’t it interesting that the radical Muslims are sort-of proving his point? “Stop saying we’re violent or we’ll kill you!” Uh-huh

Absolutely correct, and absolutely he should not apologize beyond the regret for the misunderstanding that’s already been expressed… Not one “demonstrator” in 10,000 would have read the Holy Father’s comments - made I believe in German, in a highly academic talk. What we’re seeing is street theatre, orchestrated outrage, in an attempt to push the same Political Correctness buttons that have been so successfully pushed in the U.S.

My daughter attends an Ivy Leage university. They observed the
5th anniversary of 9/11 with a week of poetry, lectures, and performances “celebrating” Islamic culture.

 

[Riley259]

No, I dont think he should apologize.

His words are quite truthfull, and they have also been taken out of context by the Muslims.

I dont think His Holiness really cares about what anyone thinks of him- he certainly isnt playing to the crowd. I like Benedict. He tells it like it is .

He did apologize for offending the sensibilities of Muslims but he didn’t say what he said was wrong and I’m glad. The Pope spoke the truth and if some of those clerics and representatives from Islam would just read the entire lecture then they would see that what the pope actually said was profound and useful for pointing out the absurdity of using violence to promote religion.

 

[Crusader13]

HE DOESN’T NEED TO APOLOGIZE… The way those Muslims acted by burning pics of the Pope and defacing Catholic/Christian churches bascially sums up what the Pope said…

 

[valient_Lucy]

Isn’t it interesting that the radical Muslims are sort-of proving his point? “Stop saying we’re violent or we’ll kill you!” Uh-huh

Yeah. They really don’t have much of an idea on how to get the rest of the world to like them. They should fire their PR representitive.

 

[Mickey]

The article said that the muslims bombed 4 churches in the gaza strip in response to his remarks. That right there proves the Popes comments to be 100% TRUE.

Bingo!

Someone said earlier that the Islamic mindset says, “Stop saying we’re violent or we’ll kill you”.

That’s about it in a nutshell. How very very sad. I didn’t see many so-called moderate Islamic Imams publicly denounce terrorism after 9-11. However, they’re** all** condemning the Pope now. It’s all very disturbing.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I am still waiting for someone to tell me what Islam has given the world except violence.

 

[Church_Militant]

Benedict XVI Apologizes for Muslim Offense
Makes Invitation to Dialogue

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, SEPT. 17, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI said that he is “deeply sorry” for the harsh reaction to his recent remarks about Islam, and invited Muslims to open and honest dialogue.

In the Pope’s first public address since his trip to Bavaria, he said today: “I am deeply sorry for the reactions in some countries to a few passages of my address at the University of Regensburg, which were considered offensive to the sensibility of Muslims.”

“These in fact were a quotation from a Medieval text, which do not in any way express my personal thought,” the Holy Father said from the balcony of the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo to the crowds gathered in the rain to pray the Angelus.

In his address on Tuesday in Regensburg, the Bishop of Rome quoted a dialogue on Christianity and Islam between Byzantine emperor Manuel II Paleologus and a Persian, which took place in Ankara around 1391.

The Pontiff quoted what the emperor said regarding the question of the jihad (Holy War): “Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.”

Clarification

Today Benedict XVI pointed to the statement released Saturday by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone “in which he explained the true meaning of my words.”

“I hope that this serves to appease hearts and to clarify the true meaning of my address, which in its totality was and is an invitation to frank and sincere dialogue, with great mutual respect,” the Pope said.

In his statement, Cardinal Bertone explained that "the Holy Father did not mean, nor does he mean, to make that opinion his own in any way.

“He simply used it as a means to undertake – in an academic context, and as evident from a complete and attentive reading of the text – certain reflections on the theme of the relationship between religion and violence in general, and to conclude with a clear and radical rejection of the religious motivation for violence, from whatever side it may come.”

The Arab television channel Al-Jazeera transmitted live the Pope’s words during the Angelus.

ZE06091704

 

[Church_Militant]

Apology to Muslims
“An Invitation to Frank and Sincere Dialogue”

VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 17, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI gave today before reciting the midday Angelus with crowds at the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo.

---

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The pastoral visit which I recently made to Bavaria was a deep spiritual experience, bringing together personal memories linked to places well known to me and pastoral initiatives toward an effective proclamation of the Gospel for today.

I thank God for the interior joy which he made possible, and I am also grateful to all those who worked hard for the success of this pastoral visit. As is the custom, I will speak more of this during next Wednesday’s general audience.

At this time, I wish also to add that I am deeply sorry for the reactions in some countries to a few passages of my address at the University of Regensburg, which were considered offensive to the sensibility of Muslims.

These in fact were a quotation from a medieval text, which do not in any way express my personal thought.

Yesterday, the cardinal secretary of state published a statement in this regard in which he explained the true meaning of my words. I hope that this serves to appease hearts and to clarify the true meaning of my address, which in its totality was and is an invitation to frank and sincere dialogue, with great mutual respect.

[Translation issued by the Holy See]

Now, before reciting the Marian prayer, I wish to reflect on two recent and important liturgical feasts: the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, celebrated on Sept. 14, and the memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows, celebrated the day after. These two liturgical celebrations summarize in a visual manner the image of the Crucifixion, which represents the Virgin Mary at the foot of the Cross, according to the description of the Evangelist John, the only Apostle who stayed with Jesus at the hour of his death.

But, what does it mean to “exalt” the Cross? Is it not, perhaps, scandalous to venerate an offensive gibbet? The Apostle Paul says: “We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles” (1 Corinthians 1:23). Christians, however, do not exalt any cross, but that cross which Jesus sanctified with his sacrifice, fruit and testimony of immense love.

Christ, on the cross, shed all his blood to free humanity from the slavery of sin and death. For this reason, the cross was transformed from a sign of malediction to a sign of blessing, from a symbol of death to a symbol par excellence of the love that is able to overcome hatred and violence and that generates immortal life. “O Crux, ave spes unica! O cross, our only hope,” sings the liturgy.

The evangelist writes: At the foot of the Cross was Mary (cf. John 19:25-27). Her sorrow is one with that of her son. It is a sorrow full of faith and love. On Calvary the Virgin participated in the salvific power of Christ’s sorrow, uniting her “fiat” with that of her son.

Dear brothers and sisters: Spiritually united to Our Lady of Sorrows, let us also renew our “yes” to God, who chose the way of the cross to save us. It is a great mystery which still takes place until the end of the world and that also calls for our cooperation. May Mary help us to pick up our cross every day and to follow Jesus faithfully on the path of obedience, sacrifice and love.

© Copyright 2006 – Libreria Editrice Vaticana [adapted]

ZE06091703

[Translation by ZENIT]

 

[Church_Militant]

His Holiness has more integrity and courage than anyone I know. Even though it’s not his fault that they mistook his words, he is humble enough to apologize. Perhaps too, the Holy Father wishes to insure that the radical Moslem types don’t hurt anyone over this alleged “offense”.

Unfortunately, I think there may well come a time of open warfare between the East and West that will make the Crusades look like a day at the beach.
Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum,

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

From what I understand the Pope said “Islam hasn’t brought nothing new into the world but the sword.” I don’t think these are the exact words but something along those lines. I need to actualy check it out myself. But if this is all there is, I don’t think he should apologize at all! Isn’t it true? I know there are peace loving Muslims, but why is it when you say one wrong word or commit one wrong deed against them they are up in arms with the sword, burning churches, protesting etc.? Why not settle the matters that bother them by love and conversation?

It looks as though they did not realise that what people say as their own opinion & what they say in an academic context, are not the same.​

There is a wide difference between quoting or considering
opinions and views which one may or may not share oneself, as an historian does - and adopting or expressing those opinions oneself. ISTM that the Pope was doing the former, but has been misunderstood as though he were doing the latter.

If people cannot quote opinions which others may find offensive, that is very bad news for the academic study of the past.

Unfortunately Islam is not based on love. It does not seem to call for any kind of interior conversion - AFAIK. If it is peaceful - why are there these explosions of violence for (what looks like) relatively slight reasons ? Atheists don’t go around bombing churches, Christians don’t call for the heads of those they disapprove of or deny to be Christian. There are no secularist suicide bombers, or Anglican terrorists, and no “fatwas” from Calvinists or from Orthodox bishops. But all this is seen in Islam - why ? Muslims seem to have great difficulty in appreciating that not everyone has the same beliefs as each other, or as they do.

They seem to want only one voice to be heard, that of Islam; and any one who has the temerity to step out of line, is to be silenced.

 

[Atreyu]

This event has had an unexpected affect on me. Though I do not condone their usual actions, I have always understood why the Arab world, and the Palestinians in particular, have a problem with us and Israel and I have tried to see both sides. I have always accepted that Islam is really a religion of peace. Because of this event we are again seeing how “peaceful” it is. When someone says something they do not like they shoot, kill, bomb, and destroy. Some say “those are only the extremeists”. Oh really? Where then is the “peaceful” majority? I have heard no condemnation. I have seen no arrests. Christianity, and Catholicism in particular, is attacked every day. As Catholic Christians we follow our Lord’s example and turn the other cheek and pray that our attacker’s hearts will be healed. When people like various White supremicist groups commit acts of violence in the name of Christ we condemn them and their actions. I can no longer accept the notion that Islam is a religion of peace and just assume that so many people, including many of Islam’s top leaders, just do not understand their own religion.

So, no, the Holy Father should not apologize. It is the violent Islamists and their leaders who owe the world an apology for once again proving that the statement the Holy Father quoted is as correct today as it was when it was first uttered.

I completely agree. I think we (the west in general) all want Islam to be a largely peaceful religion, but it is becoming more and more evident that it is not. For me the first and possibly biggest clue was on September 11th, 2001. And no, it was not when the planes hit the WTC, rather it was the scenes of jubilation and celebration in the streets of Palestine afterwards. I just couldn’t believe that these terrorist actions could be so largely condoned; even celebrated.

 

[becka01101]

I had the opportunity to hear Newt Gingrich speak tonight, and someone from the audience asked what he thought about the Pope’s comments. His response was that the excerpt that the Pope chose was very direct and incredibly insulting- but that the Pope is very much the intellectual, and that he probably knew exactly what he was doing when he said it. The whole ‘Muslim response to be accused of being violent being kill the Pope’ ironies aside, he said he’s quite sure that Benedict can hold his own.

 

[Natlie44]

I had the opportunity to hear Newt Gingrich speak tonight, and someone from the audience asked what he thought about the Pope’s comments. His response was that the excerpt that the Pope chose was very direct and incredibly insulting- but that the Pope is very much the intellectual, and that he probably knew exactly what he was doing when he said it. The whole ‘Muslim response to be accused of being violent being kill the Pope’ ironies aside, he said he’s quite sure that Benedict can hold his own.

Welcome to the forums Becka. Have you had a chance to read the speech? If not, I suggest you do it. All Ecumenical issues aside, it was a very good and pertinent speech!