Sharing a Sacred Space
Paul Moses provides an anecdote:
In this case, the sacred ground was Manger Square in Bethlehem, where Pope John Paul celebrated Mass on March 22, 2000.
The pope had just finished his homily, ending with “Assalamu alaikum,” when the Muslim call to prayer broke forth from the loudspeakers at a mosque that bordered on Manger Square. It seemed, at first, like a rude intrusion on the historic Mass the pope was celebrating in the Jubilee year. But John Paul sat quietly and listened as the muezzin sang God’s praise; he seemed to be savoring the moment. It was as if the Muslim prayer mingled with the Mass.
Just before the Mass ended, it was announced that church and mosque officials had coordinated the call to prayer, which had been delayed to accommodate the pope’s homily. It was a small matter, really, but this cooperation stirred the crowd, mostly Arab Christians, to cheers, applause and even to tears. A sacred space had been shared, and everyone was the better for it.
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Compare THAT with Pope Benedict’s characterizations of Islam at Regensburg.
I don’t understand people who insist that Pope Ratzinger is the “best qualified” pope of modern times. To me, he seems not to have a “pastoral” bone in his body.
You obviously have no understanding of what Benedict said at Regensburg. Go read his remarks instead of the media’s filtration of them.
I have read them very carefully; the remarks are true, but they were also horribly inappropriate. There’s more to being a “Supreme Pontiff” and “pastor to the world” than being a brilliant professor.
I’m all for ecumenism, we need to respect one another always and see the good in others. Let’s keep in mind Pope John Paul’s decision not to allow the building of a convent of sisters near Auschwitz, the prudent thing to do. I also think it would be prudent for the Imam to decide that perhaps this isn’t the best location for a Mosque at this time. He has every right to do so, of course, and if they go ahead at this location, I’ll move on. But I think the true ecumenical thing to do would be simply to move a few blocks away.
Peace,
Eric
But the point is not “this Mosque” (community center) or “this location.” The point is Mosques are being protested across the country. We don’t want them here! The people trying to stop this Mosque would not one built anywhere. And even worst they are hoping to use this for political gain.
We have forgotten that for the Christian there can be no “we” or “they.”