Bishop Fisichella really seems to understand the dimensions of this problem — far better than most: “Not only is the destiny of Christian minorities living in the Muslim world at stake, but everyone’s freedom…”
“Vatican: Leading Bishop Condemns Silence Over Anti-Christian Violence,” from AKI, with thanks to Twostellas:
Rome, 20 Feb. (AKI) – A leading Italian bishop has slammed as “unacceptable” the silence of states and international organisations over the fate of Christian minorities in Muslim states in an interview published on Monday. Auxiliary bishop Rino Fisichella of Rome told Italy’s best-selling daily Corriere della Sera that, “not only is the destiny of Christian minorities living in the Muslim world at stake, but everyone’s freedom, the way they can exercise such freedom and the civility of international relations.” Fisichella, who is also the dean of the Lateran Pontifical University, added that it was the duty of state governments and international organisation “to implement the principle of reciprocity.”…
Commenting the demonstrations, Fisichella said that, “these episodes stress how difficult it is for Muslim socities to accept the principle of religious freedom which is for us a acquired right.”
“It’s hard to understand why these societies fear freedom and are afraid of Christians who preach fraternity and forgiveness,” added the bishop.
In a reference to the murder on 5 February of an Italian priest, Andrea Santoro, in Turkey, allegedly killed by a Muslim radical, Fisichella also noted that, “it is impossible to put on the same level a cartoon and the murder of a priest.”