|
News
|
 |
|
18 September 2006, 17:16Pope's speech has been misunderstood - Russian bishop
Novosibirsk, September 18, Interfax - It is important for Muslims to understand the real essence of Pope Benedict's speech at the University of Regensburg, head of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Russia Joseph Vert told Interfax on Monday.
While paying a visit to Germany, the Pope quoted Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Palaeologus in one of his lectures. Manuel II was discussing Christianity and Islam with a Persian scientist and accused the Prophet Muhammad of sowing evil and inhumanity and described jihad as spreading religion with the sword.
Islamic politicians and organizations, including the Russian Council of Muftis, demanded apologies from the Pope.
"Those who are protesting do not know what the Pope was talking about. Those who have goodwill and who truly and sincerely listened to the Pope, those who look for positives, will find what they are looking for. Yet those catching every word in an attempt to oppose the Pope, the Catholic Church and the Christian world, will also find an occasion to do so," he said.
"I am positive that none of those criticizing read the whole lecture, so they are unable to have received the right impression," he said. |
