Friday, October 13, 2006
STANDING FOR CHRIST
No dilution of Christian identity in dialogue -Pope
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Benedict said on Wednesday Christians could not allow their beliefs and identity to be diluted for the sake of dialogue with other religions.
"We have to remember that this identity of ours calls for strength, clarity, and courage in the world in which we live," he told pilgrims and tourists at his weekly general audience.
Since he made controversial comments on Islam a month ago, the question of how much dialogue Catholics should have with other religions has become a point of debate in the Church.
Some Catholics feel they have compromised too much of their Christian identity in the four decades since the 1962-1965 Second Vatican Council called for increased dialogue with Muslims, Jews and members of other religions.
The Pope said the dialogue started after the Council "must continue".
"But this path of dialogue that is so necessary must not lead us to forget the duty to firmly underscore the tenets and identity of our Christian faith that cannot be renounced."
Continue reading...
That is taking a stand for Christ.
I cannot help but reflect on the fact that this would be much easier had there not been 40 years of capitulation. Still, this pope has courage to say it, particularly in the face of recent world events.
As world events unfold, the question comes to mind more frequently, "Who is inciting the demonstrations and violence?", because I do believe they are being incited and are not grassroots protests.
Blogger credit to New Oxford Review for the link.
