by John M. Curtis
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Copyright September 17, 2006
All Rights Reserved.

peaking out against religious violence at Regensburg University in Germany Sept. 12, Pope Benedict XVI offered his “sincere regrets” over offending Muslims, quoting from a Medieval text detailing a conversation between 14th Century Byzantine Christian Emperor Manuel Paleologos II and a learned Persian on truths about Christianity and Islam. “The emperor comes to speak about the issue of jihad, holy war,” said the pope. “He said, I quote, ‘Show me just what Muhammad 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,'” stirring up a hornet's nest. Furor from the Pope's remarks brought harsh reactions and sparked violent protests around the Muslim world, vandalizing and torching Christian religious cites. So far, Pope Benedict stopped short of a full retraction or apology.

      When 12 defamatory Danish cartoons resurfaced in European newspapers Feb. 15, one depicting the Prophet Muhammad with a bomb in his turban, the Muslim world erupted into violent protests, lasting nearly a month. Since Sept. 11, Western powers have endured Islamic extremism, bombing nightclubs in Bali, Indonesia Oct. 12, 2002, killing 202, train stations in Madrid March 4, 2004, killing 191, the London Tube July 7, 2005, killing 52. While throwing fuel on the fire, the pope tried to condemn religious extremism responsible for the recent spate of mass murder. “There should be no controversy,” said Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi. “The pope has already explained his true intentions: The religious dialogue and the respect for every religion is a necessity, and religion doesn't justify violence,” rejecting harsh condemnations in the Muslim world.

      No matter how the Vatican backpedals, the pope's remarks boldly expose centuries-old conflict between Christians and Muslims. Since Sept. 11, violence, mass murder and terrorism have dominated world events, regrettably linking the world's most dangerous criminals with a peaceful religion. When Al Qadea leader Osama bin Laden or his chief lieutenant Ayman Al Zawahiri speak about jihad against the West and establishing a new Islamic Caliphate from Indonesia to Spain, Islamic leaders need to publicly denounce their war of words. Whether true or not, the perception exists that Islam's religious leaders haven't forcefully condemned the unending violent rampage by radicals on innocent civilians. While not tactful, Pope Benedict's remarks tried to say that jihad was not the best way to open up a constructive dialogue between the world's great religions.

      Condemnations for Pope Benedict's remarks came fast and furious from the world's Islamic community, demonstrating, if nothing else, they can speak out forcefully when desired. No such condemnations were heard immediately after Sept. 11, Bali, Madrid or London. “We need the pope to admit the big mistake he has committed and then agree on apologizing, because we will not accept others to apologize on his behalf,” said Mohammaed Bishr, a senior member of the Muslim Brotherhood in Cairo. He wasn't satisfied with the Vatican's disclaimer. “These [words] were in fact a quotation from a Medieval text which do not in any way express my personal thought,” Benedict told pilgrims at his summer retreat in Castel Gandolfo, in the Alban hills outside Rome. While saying he was “deeply sorry” for Muslims' reactions, the pope offered no retraction or formal apology.

      Falllout from the pope's remarks sent shockwaves through the world press. Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan urged the pope to apologize to the Muslim community, accusing the pope of playing politics, not befitting a world religious leader. While swiftly condemning the pope, Erdogan offered no denunciation of Bin Laden or any other Islamic extremist responsible for chaos and mass murder. Morrocco recalled its Vatican ambassador to protest Benedict's speech. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual leader of 200-million Greek Orthodox Church in Istanbul, said he was “deeply” saddened by the recent controversy. Vatican secretary of state Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone tried some damage control: Benedict “thus sincerely regrets that certain passages of his address could have sounded offensive . . .” trying his best to stop the firestorm from getting out of hand.

      Pope Benedict's refusal to retract his remarks and fully apologize stem from his belief that he must speak out against religiously-motivated injustice and violence. As a young man, he witnessed firsthand racist atrocities against Jews. Benedict felt inclined to respond to religious zealots currently hijacking a peaceful religion. “I ask myself some crazy member of the left will come forth and demand the pope's resignation. According to the crazy people, he offended the Muslim world. The holy father's message is that of peace and dialogue,” said Italian right-wing politician Roberto Calderoli, offering no apology for the pope's remarks. Pope Benedict hasn't recanted because he refuses to believe his church shouldn't speak out against religiously-driven violence and mass murder. If Islam's world leaders forcefully condemned terrorism, Benedict wouldn't have to speak out.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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