| Pope Benedict and the Muslims |
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| Monday, 02 October 2006 07:28 | |||
 In a world where so much communication is conveyed by cartoons, captions on photographs, snappy e-mails and snappier e-mail responses, sound bites, etc., there is an ever-increasing danger of taking matters out of context. We have witnessed recently a striking, and destructive, example of this with Pope Benedict’s address at the University of Regensburg during his pastoral visit to Germany. It would appear that many, if not most, reporters and editorial writers in making their initial commentaries did not even read the entire address. What the Holy Father provided in that talk was a rich treatise, with strong philosophical, theological, historical, and cultural underpinnings on the relationship between faith and reason. His title was “Faith, Reason and the University, Memories and Reflections.” In the early published reactions, we have heard very little of the philosophy, theology, history, and cultural impact developed so well in his lecture. What we have heard, over and over, is his quote from a 14th-century Byzantine emperor, Manuel II Paleologus, which the Holy Father was clear not to endorse, both in the talk and afterward. What followed was an outbreak of inflamed emotions, death, and destruction, the results either of superficial reporting or deep-seated pathologies, perhaps both. Pope Benedict has spoken and written many times, both before his election to the Papacy and since, of his high esteem and deep respect for the religion of Islam. Just before his trip to Germany, he rejoiced that, “In much of Africa relations between Christians and Muslims are exemplary.” That was in response to a question about Africa. He has also praised such relationships in various parts of the world through the tenure of his Papacy. Yes, we join the Holy Father in acknowledging that both Christians and Muslims have been guilty of spreading our faiths through violence. That said, there is an urgent need to discuss the dramatic nature and current im-portance of the relationship between faith and reason, between religion and violence. Pope Benedict has made it clear: “The theme of my talk was, then, the relationship between faith and reason. I wished to call for a dialogue of the Christian faith with the modern world and for dialogue between all cultures and religions. I hope that at various moments of my visit – when, for example, in Munich I underlined how important it is to respect what is sacred for others – what emerged was my deep respect for all the great religions, and in particular for Muslims who ‘worship the one God,’ and with whom we are committed to promoting ‘peace, liberty, social jus-tice and moral values for the benefit of all humanity.’” He went on: “I trust, therefore, that following the initial reactions, my words at the University of Regensburg may constitute an impulse and encouragement towards positive, even self-critical, dialogue both among religions and between modern reason and Christian faith.” The Holy Father is calling for strong dialogue, not merely pal-liative conversation. Issues of violence, extremism, freedom of religion, freedom to worship, reciprocity, faith and reason summon us to attention. In the Archdiocese of Hartford, we are committed to that development. Father Aidan Donahue, Pastor of Sacred Heart Church, Bloomfield, and Father Michael Dolan, Coordinator for Campus Ministries, are appointed to represent the Archdiocese in Catholic-Muslim and Christian-Muslim dialogues. We are all called, moreover, by our commission from Baptism and our faith, to work and to pray for improved mutual relations with those who share our workplaces, our communities and our world. These are precarious times.
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