Pope asks Christians, Muslims to find Common Ground
Posted: Sunday, September 23, 2007, 8:57 (BST)
Pope Benedict voiced the hope on Thursday that Christians and Muslims can avoid violence and intolerance by exploring their common religious values and respecting their differences.
The leader of the world's 1.1 billion Roman Catholics has sought reconciliation with Muslims since an ill-fated speech in Germany a year ago, when he quoted a 14th century Byzantine emperor as saying Prophet Mohammad spread faith "by the sword".
"To avoid any form of intolerance from developing and to prevent violence, we must encourage sincere dialogue based on ever truer mutual knowledge," the Pope told visiting bishops from Benin, West Africa, on Thursday.
"Such dialogue requires us to train competent people to help know and understand the religious values we have in common and to faithfully respect our differences," he said.
Following the shock caused around the world by his speech a year ago, Benedict said he was sorry for the reaction but stopped short of an apology.
Later in 2006 he prayed at the Blue Mosque in Istanbul during a Turkish visit.
About half the population of Benin practise traditional African religions, while about 30 percent are Christian and 20 percent are Muslim.
© Reuters 2007. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by caching, framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters.
Have your say on this article
The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.
Added: Monday, October 1, 2007, 9:24 (BST)
I dont think biting at one another is going to reveal the glory of Christ who called us to be one. He loves all those who believe in him. I think we cause him so much pain when we just look at other believers and criticise them and forget to look at the Lord and seem them through his eyes. I think at times that is necessary, like when believers have departed from Scripture. I think we always need to look for what we share in common and have faith that the Lord will weed out the problem areas. It is him who is guiding and raising his body of believers, not us.
sarah, blackpool
Added: Sunday, September 30, 2007, 17:15 (BST)
No wonder he prayed at a mosque...I'll just say it. The Catholic religion, doesn't save, can't save, and won't save. ANYONE.
WWW.NEEDGOD.COM
Jacob, Newberg, Oregon, USA
Added: Sunday, September 30, 2007, 3:33 (BST)
Wow! These comments about the Pope article are not constructive but mean spirited! Whatever you think of him or the Catholic church whatever happened to love your enemy? These comments for the most part don't sound too christian either.
Mike Kelly, Toledo, Ohio
Added: Saturday, September 29, 2007, 13:06 (BST)
I think it is unfair to paint with such a broad brush and exclude all Catholics from Christianity. Certainly there are those who trying to earn and to work their way to heaven by being good. However, there are others who truly trust Christ, and their means and manner of worship is a sincere expression of love for their Lord. The Commandment is to "love the Lord thy God will all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy strength and with all thy mind, and to love one's neighbor as thyself." We must remember that God accepts Protestant follies and foibles in worship (as none of us provide perfect expressions of worship). Will He not also accept those from the Catholic community which are also offered with a pure heart?
Keith Needham, Pembina, USA
Added: Wednesday, September 26, 2007, 18:11 (BST)
'Catholic' means universal. The catholic church is the entire company of saints in heaven and earth. The Roman church of the pope is a member or a branch of the one, universal church on earth.
Peter, New Hope, PA
Added: Monday, September 24, 2007, 20:08 (BST)
The Pope is a lost man who is teaching a false religion based on "works". The fact that he does not understand Scripture is pretty evident. The Bible says there is ONE FAITH, (Eph 4:5). There is one God and one Saviour.(I Cor 8:6). We, as Bible believing Christians, need to stand against apostacy and stand for TRUTH. ( John 17:17)
Mark Herbstritt, USA
Added: Monday, September 24, 2007, 16:54 (BST)
I thought he was talking about Christians, Looks like he means catholics. Christians aren't catholics any more than catholics follow christ. These others are the children of the bond woman and they should conform to the word and will of God as it is written (KJV) No more no less.
George, Hamilton, USA
