Sherry is a friend of mine, and I can tell you that the criticism doesn’t stem from her belief that Muslim’s shouldn’t be evangelized. She has friends that are working tirelessly (and often in secret) to spead the gospel in Muslim countries. Rather, she questions the prudence of the decision. She fears that it may threaten the well being of her friends, people she knows and cares about deeply. That said, I prefer to think that the Holy Father is acting under the influence of infused prudence or the gift of counsel and that this act (and the Holy Father’s Regensburg address, which from the perspective of merely human prudence may also appear imprudent) may be ordered providentially to a new and deeper engagement with Islam. Time will tell. Sorry for any typos.

Unfortunately, I hope he has good body guards.