Pope Benedict Learns His Lesson
After Pope Benedict quoted a 14th century emperor’s writings to tentatively, obliquely suggest there might be a possible link between Islam and violence, the Religion of Peace™ went on murderous violent rampages around the world.
Apparently, the peaceful violence has achieved its intended purpose. Pope in about-face over Muslim dialogue office.
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - In a surprising about-face, Pope Benedict has decided to restore power and prestige to the Vatican department that oversees dialogue with Islam a year after he controversially downgraded it.
The department’s return to its former status occurred as Catholic-Muslim dialogue is still suffering the negative effects of Benedict’s Regensburg speech last September in which he appeared to equate Islam with violence.
Catholic and Muslim officials on Monday hailed the decision as a positive step that could help improve relations. …
In his speech last September in Regensburg, Germany, the Pope quoted a 14th century Byzantine emperor as saying Islam had only brought evil to the world and that it was spread by the sword, which was unreasonable and contrary to God’s nature.
He later said he regretted any misunderstanding it caused among Muslims, after protests including attacks on churches in the Middle East and the killing of a nun in Somalia.