At different times in different situations of the world, Pope Benedict XVI has shown his respect for Islam and has taken a stand for justice regarding Muslims.

In the context of the hurt and anger expressed by Muslims in different parts of the world regarding a quotation about Prophet Muhammad, (peace be upon him) contained in an address given by the Pope Benedict XVI, in Germany, I would like to share a few reflections.

The lecture was given at the Regensburg Catholic University, Germany, on September 12, 2006. The Pope was addressing primarily the university academics and the topic of his presentation was: “Faith, Reason and the University Memories and Reflections.” What I want to affirm is that in spite of what has happened, the Pope and the Catholic Church respect all religions, including Islam and want to collaborate with people of all faiths, also with Muslims, to promote peace and justice in the World.

Catholics throughout the world are disappointed and saddened at the particular quote given by the Pope and also at the developments among the Muslims after that. However the Pope has acknowledged his mistake and has expressed deep sorrow for the hurt caused to the Muslims. He did this twice, first on 16 September 2006, through the statement released by Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone and again on 17 September, the Pope himself said that he was deeply sorry.

Besides expressing deep sorrow, the Pope has made it very clear that the -quotation in question does not in any way express his personal thought and that the true meaning of the Pope’s address was, and is, an invitation to frank and sincere dialogue, with heartfelt mutual respect between people of different cultures and religions. The Pope had the courage to apologise and to clarify the true meaning of his address.

I am afraid the media did not present the address of the Pope in its right perspective. In general, it highlighted six lines, giving a quotation of a 14 century Emperor out of context from an eight-page discourse, making it appear that it was a statement made by the Pope on Islam. The Pope had added that the Emperor should have known that Surah 2:256 of the Holy Quran says, “There is no compulsion in religion” Thus making it clear that Islam rejects force and violence in the matter of religion. However, the media did not publicize this. Demonstrations against the address of the Pope began even before it was translated into languages, which could be understood by those people.

Again and again Pope Benedict XVI has manifested his respect for all religions and his desire for mutual cooperation between believers of different faiths for the cause of world peace. On the occasion when he took charge as the Pope on 26 April 2005, addressing the representatives of different religions, including Muslims, this is what he said:

“I turn now to you, dear friends of different religious traditions, and thank you sincerely for your presence at the solemn inauguration of my pontificate. I offer warm and affectionate greetings to you and to all those who belong to the religions that you represent. I am particularly grateful for the presence in our midst of members of the Muslim community, and I express my appreciation for the growth of dialogue between Muslims and Christians, both at the local and international level. I assure you that the Church wants to continue building bridges of friendship with followers of all religions, in order to seek the true good of every person and of society as a whole.”

During his first visit to Germany, addressing the Muslim representatives at Cologne, on 20 August 2005, the Pope expressed his regard and respect for Islam and Muslims and stressed the need of continuing dialogue and cooperation between people of all faiths, specially Christians and Muslims for common good: The following are some of his words on that occasion:

“Dear Muslim friends, it gives me great joy to be able to be with you and to offer you my heartfelt greetings. During my meeting last April with the delegates of Churches and Christian communities and with representatives of the various religious traditions, I affirmed that the Church wants to continue building bridges of friendship with the followers of all religions, in order to seek the true good of every person and of society as a whole. Past experience teaches us that relations between Christians and Muslims have not always been marked by mutual respect and understanding. How many pages of history record battles and even wars that have been waged, with both sides invoking the name of God, as if fighting and killing the enemy could be pleasing to him. The recollection of these sad events should fill us with shame, for we know only too well what atrocities have been committed in the name of religion. The lessons of the past must help us to avoid repeating the same mistakes. We must seek paths of reconciliation and learn to live with respect for each other’s identity. The defence of religious freedom, in this sense, is a permanent imperative, and respect for minorities is a clear sign of true civilization.

Inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue between Christians and Muslims cannot be reduced to an optional extra. It is in fact a vital necessity, on which in large measure our future depends.”

At different times in different situations of the world, the Pope has shown his respect for Islam and has taken a stand for justice regarding Muslims.

Pope Benedict XVI, like his predecessor John Paul II, condemns pre-emptive war. It is the Pope’s view that the invasion of Iraq “has no moral justification.” As a cardinal, Benedict was critical about President George Bush’s choice of sending an army into Iraq to impose democracy. “The damage would be greater than the values one hopes to save,” he concluded.

The Pope strongly condemned the cartoons on Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh), first published by a Danish newspaper and later in other European papers, saying “In the international context we are living at present, the Catholic Church continues convinced that, to foster peace and understanding between people and men, it is necessary and urgent that religions and their symbols be respected” He also added that this implies that “Believers should not be the object of provocations that wound their lives and religious sentiments.” Benedict XVI noted, “For believers, as for all people of good will, the only path that can lead to peace and fraternity is respect for the convictions and religious practices of others”

In the situation of the conflict in the Middle East, the Pope has called for the establishment of a Palestinian state. On June 14, 2006, he said: “May the international community, which reaffirms Israel’s just right to exist in peace, assist the Palestinian people to overcome the precarious conditions in which they live and to build their future, moving towards the constitution of a state that is truly their own.”

On April, 16, 2006, the Pope called for a peaceful solution in the nuclear standoff with Iran saying, “Concerning the international crises linked to nuclear power, may an honourable solution be found for all parties through serious and honest negotiations.” On July 14, 2006, the office of the Pope condemned Israel’s strikes on Lebanon saying In particular, the Holy See deplores right now the attack on Lebanon, a free and sovereign nation, and assures its closeness to these people who already have suffered so much to defend their independence, “ On July 30, 2006, the Pope demanded an immediate cease fire in the Middle East.

In all this, in showing respect for religions of the world, in trying to improve relations with their followers, in promoting collaboration with them to build a better world and in defending their just rights, Pope Benedict was only following the official policy of the Catholic Church which is based on the Holy Bible, and which was formulated by the whole Church in 1965 in a document called: “Declaration on the Relationship of the Church to Non-Christian Religions” Every Catholic including the Pope, tries to follow the teaching of this document, because it is based on the Holy Bible. This is what the document has to say about the Muslims:

“Upon the Muslims too, the Church looks with esteem. They adore one God, living and enduring, merciful and all-powerful, Maker of heaven and earth and Speaker to men. They strive to submit whole-heartedly even to His inscrutable decrees, just as did Abraham, with whom the Islamic faith is pleased to associate itself. Though they do not acknowledge Jesus as God, they revere Him as a prophet. They also honour Mary, His virgin mother: at times they call on her too, with devotion. In addition they await the Day of Judgement when God will give each man his due after raising him up. Consequently they prize the moral life, and give worship to God especially through prayer, almsgiving and fasting. Although in the course of centuries many quarrels and hostilities have arisen between Christians and Muslims, this most sacred Synod urges all to forget the past, and to strive sincerely for mutual understanding. On behalf of all mankind, let them make common cause of safeguarding and fostering social justice, moral values, peace and freedom.”

Therefore it is just and proper that we look at the quote which the Holy Father made use of in his address on 12th Sept 2006, not in isolation but in this background of the respect the Pope and the whole Church has for Islam, and for all the religions in the world, the efforts the Church is making to understand the Muslims and the call the Church has given to the Muslims for collaboration for the good of whole mankind. The present situation could be for Christians and Muslims a God-given opportunity, to come to know each other better and together, find out means of promoting peace, justice and love in the world.

(The writer can be reached at stjoseph@bgl.vsnl.com)

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