Aboard the papal plane, Sep 14, 2012 / 05:07 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Benedict described fundamentalism as “a falsification of religion,” which goes against its true purpose as “an invitation to share God’s peace throughout the world.” “Therefore the commitment of the Church and of religions is to undertake a purification of such temptations, to illuminate consciences and to try and provide everyone with a clear image of God,” said Pope Benedict on Sept. 14 during an in-flight press conference on his way to Lebanon. “We must all respect each other,” the Pope told a group of journalists at the beginning of his three-day trip, “Each of us is an image of God and we must mutually respect each other.” Pope Benedict’s condemnation of fundamentalism comes as anti-American protest spreads across the Middle East following the online publication of a low-budget film mocking the Prophet Mohammed, the 6-7th century founder of Islam.

Pope Benedict appealed on Friday for a halt to the flow of arms into Syria, saying it would help end a civil war that has killed many thousands of people and which Christians fear could bring Islamists to power. In his strongest comments yet on the conflict, Benedict branded the weapons imports as a "grave sin" as he arrived at the start of a three-day visit to Beirut, the Lebanese capital just 50 km (30 miles) from the Syrian border. He also described Arab uprisings as a positive "cry for freedom" as long as they included religious tolerance – the central theme of Benedict’s trip which is focused on promoting peace in the Middle East and harmony between its minority Christians and majority Muslims. Christian, Sunni and Shi’ite Muslim and Druze religious leaders joined Lebanon’s political elite in greeting Benedict on his arrival in a region now rocked by violent protests against an American film that denigrates Islam.

 "The import of weapons has to finally stop," Benedict, 85, told journalists on the plane. "Without the import of arms the war cannot continue. Instead of importing weapons, which is a grave sin, we have to import ideas of peace and creativity."

The Arab Spring uprisings against authoritarian leaders were "a positive thing. There is a desire for more democracy, more freedoms, more cooperation and renewal," he said. But he added that it had to include tolerance for other religions. Asked about Christian fears about rising aggression from Islamist radicals, Benedict said: "Fundamentalism is always a falsification of religion."

Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Beshara Boutros al-Rai told Vatican Radio’s Tracey McClure that the focus of this papal visit was the role of the Churches of the Middle East and how they can and must contribute to a future of peace in the region. "I think the Apostolic Exhortation is a gift of Divine providence in this difficult moment. It will present a series of challenges confronting the Christians of the region and propose some solutions and a way to proceed". The Patriarch claimed that the Muslim community was "very enthusiastic about the Pope’s visit" and expressed his belief that "the Pope will help bring the dawn of peace to the region." And that the "real Arab Spring will arrive as the fruit of a Christian Spring and we can help to achieve this through communion and witness to love". He added, "This is a region torn by conflict and war and this exhortation will present a new way of presenting positive solutions to the conflict and political tensions. It is important that the Church speaks a language of peace, dialogue and understanding, because the Arab world only hears the language of hatred and violence both regionally and internationally, unfortunately. Violence and war will never bring about a new Spring – Only the opposite". The Holy Father’s plans to travel to Lebanon have been underway for some time. He has often expressed his profound concern for the Christians of the middle East and conviction of the necessity of their continued presence there. He is traveling there to encourage them in their faith and reaffirm their vital role.

The significance of this apostolic visit to Lebanon by the Vicar of Christ cannot be overstated. Its timing is prophetic and its message is urgent. The Christian faithful throughout the world need to pray for the Successor of Peter as he travels on this mission of peace. We also need to pray for the success of his efforts. Finally, we need to pray in solidarity with our Christian brethren in the Middle East in their time of travail.    At his Wednesday General audience, Pope Benedict XVI spoke these words to the faithful: "I exhort all Christians of the Middle East, both those born there and the newly arrived, to be builders of peace and architects of reconciliation. Let us pray to God that he may fortify the faith of Christians in Lebanon and the Middle East, and fill them with hope.

"The history of the Middle East teaches us the important and sometimes primordial role played by the various Christian communities in inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue. Let us ask God to give that region of the world its longed-for peace, and respect for legitimate differences." The Vatican news Agency issued the following report on the visit.  

"The Pope is going to Lebanon as a "messenger of peace" and the dramatically mounting tension that still today affects the entire region of the Middle East, "far from discouraging him have made his desire" to undertake this journey "even more pressing". On the eve of Benedict XVI’s departure, offers a key to interpreting the papal visit, describing  it as "an invitation to leaders in the Middle East and to the international community to work with determination to find fair and lasting solutions for the region".

  Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI, was born at Marktl am Inn, Diocese of Passau (Germany) on 16 April 1927 (Holy Saturday) and was baptised on the same day. His father, a policeman, belonged to an old family of farmers from Lower Bavaria of modest economic resources. His mother was the daughter of artisans […]

    Pope Benedict XVI appealed to Christians, Jews and Muslims alike to "root out" religious fundamentalism, as deadly unrest sweeps the Middle East over a film mocking Islam. The Pope, who arrived in Lebanon on Friday for a three-day visit, has also told the Christian minority in the Middle East not to fear for its […]

The convoy of Pope Benedict XVI, right, arrives at St. Paul’s Basilica to sign the post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation of the special assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops, in Harissa

Pope signs momentous document on Church in the Middle East

Pope Benedict XVI, left, addresses a speech in front of Lebanese honor guards during his

An aerial view of the waterfront where a mass is being held by Pope Benedict XVI in Beirut

Pope Benedict waves from his Pope-mobile upon his arrival to conduct an open-air mass

The faithful holds a Vatican flag during an open air mass conducted by Pope Benedict

Pope Benedict disembarks from Pope-mobile to conduct an open-air mass service at Beirut

Pope Benedict XVI conducts an open air mass service as faithfuls use umbrella

Faithful gather at Bkerke in Harissa near Beirut before the Pope Benedict XVI meets the youth September 15, 2012. REUTERS/ Stefano Rellandini

Pope Benedict XVI walks next to Lebanon’s President Suleiman as he arrives at Baabda Pres.

Pope Benedict XVI and Gregorios III, Patriarch of the Church of Antioch, attend a ceremon…

Pope Benedict XVI waves to faithfuls from his pope-mobile upon his arrival to conduct an open air mass service at Beirut City Centre Waterfront,

Pope Benedict XVI arrives at the waterfront of Beirut where he will lead a mass

Hezbollah Al-Mahdi girl-scouts wait outside Rafik Hariri international airport to welcome the Pope Benedict XVI, in Beirut

Pope Benedict conducts an open air mass at Beirut City Centre Waterfront

Pope Benedict XVI has signed his Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the Church in the Middle East, “Ecclesia in Medio Oriente,” during the first day of his visit to Lebanon. “The Exhortation as a whole is meant to help each of the Lord’s disciples to live fully and to pass on faithfully to others what he or she has become by Baptism: a child of light, sharing in God’s own light, a lamp newly lit amid the troubled darkness of this world, so that the light may shine in the darkness,” he said. Pope Benedict made his remarks during the official signing ceremony at the Melkite Greek Catholic Basilica of St. Paul in the coastal town of Harissa, Sept. 14. “The document seeks to help purify the faith from all that disfigures it, from everything that can obscure the splendor of Christ’s light,” he noted. “For communion is true fidelity to Christ, and Christian witness is the radiance of the paschal mystery which gives full meaning to the cross, exalted and glorious.” The exhortation is the Pope’s response to the deliberations of the Synod of Bishops of the Middle East held at the Vatican in October 2010. The topic for discussion then was “The Catholic Church in the Middle East: Communion and Witness.”   “Churches of the Middle East, fear not, for the Lord is truly with you, to the close of the age!” urged Pope Benedict, “Fear ot, because the universal Church walks at your side and is humanly and spiritually close to you!”

Pope Benedict XVI waters a Cedar tree as Lebanon’s President Michel Suleiman and his wife Wafaa (R) watch him at Baabda Presidential Palace near Beirut,

Pope Benedict XVI waves as he arrives for a meeting with youths in Bkerke in Harissa,

 

 

 Bodyguards escort the Pope Benedict XVI greeting faithful from his Pope Mobile,

 

As a former tour guide on Nile cruise boats and now a professor of religious studies at Santa Clara University in California, David Pinault is no stranger to the Middle East. He was there during the demonstrations in Tahrir Square in January 2011. He recently went back again and wrote an article, "Ready To Be Martyrs." It offers us a unique perspective from which all Christians can learn.

KNOXVILLE, TN (Catholic Online) – As a former tour guide on Nile cruise boats and now a professor of religious studies at Santa Clara University in California, David Pinault is no stranger to the Middle East. He was there during the demonstrations in Tahrir Square in January 2011. He recently went back again and wrote an article, "Ready To Be Martyrs." It offers us a unique perspective from which all Christians can learn.

According to his article, two things stood out for Pinault on his most recent trip to Egypt: the modern-day martyrdom of Christians in Egypt and the Egyptian heritage of the Coptic Christian community. He recalls his driver in Cairo, a Copt by the name of Sami, telling him about the persecution of the Copts by Islamists since the demonstrations in 2011. Islamists want an Islamist government with sharia law as its foundation. But sharia law discriminates against non-Muslims and more liberal-minded Muslims.

Sami said that it had not been as bad for the Copts when President Mubarak was in power because he had suppressed the Islamists. But since Mubarak was forced to step down, the Islamists have felt emboldened. Now, they are burning churches, inciting riots against the Copts and openly calling for the expulsion of Christians without fear. As a result, over 100,000 Copts are believed to have fled Egypt since Mubarak was ousted; but Sami insisted, "I’m staying. I’m not leaving my country."

Sami added, "We’re ready to be martyrs. We’re ready to be with Christ, to live with Christ. . . . Christ is testing us. I tell my friends to stay. Christ could end this suffering, this trial, at any time. How will you feel, I tell my friends, if you’re in Canada instead of Egypt when Christ returns?" Pinault pondered Sami’s statements as they passed by the burned-out ruins of the Institute of Egypt, and he felt something stir within him.

He recalled how the institute had been founded by the French after Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Egypt in 1798. Its archives contained many ancient maps, books and manuscripts. Then in 2011 when Egyptian soldiers stood on its roof and shot at the demonstrators in the square below, some demonstrators responded by fire bombing the building to shouts of "Allah is great" and "there is no god except Allah." Much of the priceless collection was destroyed. Kamal ‘Arafah, an Egyptian poet and commentator, compared the destruction of the institute to the burning of the Library of Alexandria and the destruction of the learning centers in Baghdad by the Mongols.

Washington D.C., Sep 13, 2012 / 04:01 am (CNA).- Religious freedom in the United States has historically been understood as allowing religion to “flourish unfettered from government intrusion,” said Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York. “Simply put, government has no business interfering in the internal life of the soul, conscience, or church,” said the cardinal, who serves at the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Cardinal Dolan delivered the John Carroll Society Lecture at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 10. He voiced concern that “the promotion and protection of religious liberty is becoming caricatured as some narrow, hyper-defensive, far-right, self-serving cause.” “Nothing can be more inaccurate,” he said. “Rather, freedom of religion has been the driving force of almost every enlightened, un-shackling, noble cause in American history.”

Cardinal Dolan attempted to “restore the luster” of religious freedom by outlining its role throughout American history. The American Revolution itself was influenced by the Great Awakening and spurred on by ministers who encouraged participation in the fight for freedom, he observed. Churches served as “an essential partner” in the American Revolution, and freedom of religion was praised in the new nation’s foundational documents, securing “a spot in the public square for the voices of those speaking from a faith-formed conscience,” he said. In the fight against the slavery, abolitionist leaders were “mostly inspired by religious conviction,” he noted, listing prominent figures whose “devotion to the cause to end slavery flowed from a conscience formed by faith.” “In a land where loyalty to conscience and freedom of religion were not guaranteed, emancipation would have come at a much tragically later date,” he said.

Catholic news – The Pope called upon the Christians in the Middle East to help create peace in their often troubled countries. “I exhort all Christians of the Middle East, both those born there and the newly arrived, to be builders of peace and architects of reconciliation,” said the Pope at the Vatican Sept. 12. “Let us pray to God that he may fortify the faith of Christians in Lebanon and the Middle East, and fill them with hope.”

Only 48-hours before his Apostolic Visit to Lebanon begins, Pope Benedict XVI has called upon the Christians of the Middle East to help create peace in the troubled region. “I exhort all Christians of the Middle East, both those born there and the newly arrived, to be builders of peace and architects of reconciliation,” the Pope said at the conclusion of his General Audience at the Vatican Sept. 12. “Let us pray to God that he may fortify the faith of Christians in Lebanon and the Middle East, and fill them with hope.” The Pope is making the 3-day trip to the Mediterranean state Sept. 14 – 16 to sign his Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the Church in the Middle East.

He flies into a region, though, which is still a state of often violent flux following several years of anti-government uprisings known as the “Arab Spring.” In Lebanon’s neighboring country of Syria tens of thousands of lives have been lost since an armed revolt against President Bashar al-Assad got underway in March 2011. The United Nations refugee agency estimates that nearly 250,000 Syrians have now fled to surrounding nations including Lebanon. Meanwhile in the wider Arab world, both Egypt and Libya have witnessed anti-American riots in recent days leading to the killing of the United States Ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens, in the city of Benghazi Sept. 11. The violent protests were sparked by the posting on YouTube of extracts of a low-budget US film mocking the Prophet Mohammed, the founder of the Islamic religion.

“The history of the Middle East teaches us the important and sometimes primordial role played by the various Christian communities in inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue,” observed Pope Benedict.

  William Harris, professor at the University of Otago in New Zealand and sometimes NOW Lebanon contributor, is one of the premier contemporary historians of Lebanon. Author of other highly acclaimed books on Lebanon and the Levant, his latest, Lebanon: A History, 600-2011, was published in July by Oxford University Press. NOW spoke to Professor Harris […]

  Prime Minister Najib Miqati announced readiness on Wednesday to reexamine a government decision to increase the public sector’s salaries after criticism over the boost in the wages of the country’s top three leaders, ministers and lawmakers, Information Minister Walid al-Daouq said. “Miqati said that it is possible to review the salary scale in terms of […]