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Pope visits Central African Republic mosque: “Together, we say no to hatred, to vengeance and violence”

Nov 30, 2015 3:40 pm By Robert Spencer

“Christians and Muslims and members of traditional religions have lived peacefully for many years” — as long as the dhimmi Christians knew their place. It is all very well for him to say no to hatred, vengeance and violence; what Muslim leaders are joining him in doing so? Did he visit a church in the Central African Republic, to show solidarity with the Christians who have been murdered by Muslims there? Or was his compassion for one side only?

FrancisdovesFrancisdovecrow

“Pope Francis travels to mosque in heart of sectarian conflict,” by Robyn Dixon, Los Angeles Times, November 30, 2015 (thanks to all who sent this in):

The final hours of Pope Francis’ African tour might well have been most dangerous moments of his papacy, as he visited a volatile Muslim neighborhood in the Central African Republic’s capital, Bangui, followed by an open air Mass at a stadium.

It was the most powerful, symbolic moment of his Africa trip, as he became the first pope in modern history to travel to a war zone.

As crowds cheered, Francis brushed aside security warnings, traveling in the back of an open Pope-mobile — a converted SUV with no bulletproof glass — and wore no bulletproof vest.

It was a trip that the French Defense Ministry had urged against, saying forces from the former colonial power couldn’t guarantee the pontiff’s safety.

But it sent an inspiring message of hope and peace to Christians and Muslims in a nation that has been locked in a cycle of sectarian violence since December 2012.

Francis met Muslim leaders at the Koudoukou mosque in the Muslim enclave, PK5 — the only remaining Muslim residential neighborhood in the capital — which is blockaded by Christian militias, preventing residents from leaving.

U.N. peacekeepers stationed in the landlocked African country and Vatican security guarded the pontiff during his visit, the former stationed in the mosque’s minarets during the visit.

Peace and interfaith dialogue has been the central themes of the pope’s visit to Africa. Francis said his trip would not have been complete had he failed to meet with the Muslim community in PK5.

During his visit to Koudoukou mosque, he said Christians and Muslims were brothers and denounced violence, particularly attacks committed in the name of religion.

“Christians and Muslims and members of traditional religions have lived peacefully for many years. Together, we say no to hatred, to vengeance and violence, especially that committed in the name of a religion or God,” the Associated Press quoted Francis as saying.

“In these dramatic times, Christian and Muslim leaders have sought to rise to the challenges of the moment. They have played an important role in reestablishing harmony and fraternity among all.”

He called for leaders “capable of bringing Central Africans together, thus becoming symbols of national unity rather than merely representatives of one or another faction.”

When he arrived in the Central African Republic on Sunday, the pope said he was visiting as a “pilgrim of peace and an apostle of hope.”

Half a million people, mainly Muslims, have fled the country amid a conflict that saw a coalition of Muslim rebels known as Seleka forces oust President Francois Bozize in 2013.

Christian militias known as anti-balaka fighters battled back, carrying out revenge attacks against Muslim communities. Rebel leader Michel Djotodia resigned the presidency last year to make way for an interim government, headed by interim President Catherine Samba-Panza, but violence continues….

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Filed Under: Catholic Church, Central African Republic, Featured Tagged With: Pope Francis


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Comments

  1. Islam_Macht_Frei says

    Nov 30, 2015 at 3:46 pm

    To paraphrase that French father explaining the Paris massacre to his infant son:

    “They have machine guns and bombs. We have love and kumbayah rhetoric.”

    Let us know how that goes….

    • jimmy says

      Nov 30, 2015 at 4:55 pm

      “-But father, they have guns and they are really evil. Flowers do not…
      -Remember son…Flowers and candles protect us…”

      Priceless video. The child had more knowledge than any of the adults speaking in front of the camera.

      • gravenimage says

        Nov 30, 2015 at 11:01 pm

        Yes–that little boy has a much better grasp of the threat of Jihad than does his willfully naive father.

    • ? says

      Nov 30, 2015 at 6:01 pm

      That’s about it, it’s sad at this rate people will be trying to be some sort of modern hippie talking about peace and love when there is none to be found.

      The reaping 666

      • Shane says

        Dec 1, 2015 at 10:14 am

        The Roman Catholic church has been take over by the left and will not confront the murderous cult of Islam. A good pope would be organizing a Crusade to save the Christians who are being massacred by jihadists.

    • Dr. Divinity says

      Dec 1, 2015 at 11:02 pm

      “Did be visit a church”
      No he didn’t…he was afraid there might be a bomb in it.

  2. Chabuco says

    Nov 30, 2015 at 3:49 pm

    He should have visited a mosque in Mecca or Medina. Walk the talk! Show the world how peaceful and tolerant Islam is.

  3. Ren says

    Nov 30, 2015 at 3:49 pm

    Good luck to the Pope. He’s a dreamer.

    • miriamrove says

      Nov 30, 2015 at 4:09 pm

      He is not a dreamer, rather he is a dhimi. m

      • Pong says

        Nov 30, 2015 at 5:08 pm

        He is neither. He is a criminal.

      • mortimer says

        Nov 30, 2015 at 6:33 pm

        The pope’s ‘dream’ will become the nightmare of ordinary people who are betrayed and persecuted by Islamists.

  4. jewdog says

    Nov 30, 2015 at 4:08 pm

    Traditional Judeo-Christian morality is no match for Islam. Look at how Christian and Jewish political power and communities have been devastated over the years. The Pope is a nice guy, but when it comes to Islam, nice guys finish last.

    • mortimer says

      Nov 30, 2015 at 6:35 pm

      The pope’s a well-meaning useful idiot of Islam because he refuses to learn the jihad doctrine.

      • Mary says

        Dec 1, 2015 at 3:13 am

        How about Francis is a deluded idiot.

        He needs a reality check.
        Some one needs to slap him.
        He deserves it.

        He has no authority in this area. So tell him to keep his buff shiny nose out of it.

    • gravenimage says

      Nov 30, 2015 at 11:03 pm

      Jews and Christians have beaten Islam back before, Jewdog–that we are not consistently doing so now has more to do with post-modern “political correctness” than with real Judeo-Christian morality.

      • jewdog says

        Dec 1, 2015 at 8:26 am

        The message of love and forgiveness is a poor defense against the ruthless take-no-prisoners morality of Islam. Despite occasional losses, Islam has been winning, particularly in the Mideast, and now looks to expand into western Europe.

    • Aussie Infidel says

      Dec 1, 2015 at 5:32 am

      The Pope can’t have read the Quran. Is he not aware that hatred of the kuffar is an innate tenet of Islam? Interfaith Dialogue is used by Muslims to ingratiate themselves with local religious communities, and buy time until they become more powerful politically? But by then, it is often too late for non-Muslims to resist.

      “Let not believers take disbelievers as allies rather than believers. And whoever [of you] does that has nothing with Allah , except when taking precaution against them in prudence. And Allah warns you of Himself, and to Allah is the [final] destination.” (Quran 3:28).

      “And how many cities have We destroyed, and Our punishment came to them at night or while they were sleeping at noon.” (Quran 7:4).

      “And fight them until there is no fitnah (opposition) and [until] the religion, all of it, is for Allah. And if they cease – then indeed, Allah is Seeing of what they do.” (Quran 8:39).

      “Indeed, those who disbelieve will be addressed, ‘The hatred of Allah for you was [even] greater than your hatred of yourselves [this Day in Hell] when you were invited to faith, but you refused’.” (Q40:10).

      • Lynette says

        Dec 3, 2015 at 9:45 pm

        Definitely true words so I agree. Pope does not learn, for years Christians have been persecuted by moslums in all islamic lands, why does he ignore these facts? Why is he not preaching tolerance and kicking up the biggest stink the world has never seen before?
        You cannot ignore evil happenings and acts around the world, preaching peace while islam does not allow peace only PIECES!

  5. More Ham Ed says

    Nov 30, 2015 at 4:50 pm

    They might wanna’ sit down and completely re-write the entire unholy ko ‘ran, and supporting texts, while they’re gettin’ together, which teach violence to current-day followers, as opposed to being merely a historical record, and which also do not teach the concept of Grace leading to salvation. Since that’s not gonna’ happen I’ll keep self defense in mind while I make extra ham sandwiches.

    • Mary says

      Dec 1, 2015 at 3:14 am

      That’s right. That’s right.

      While this isn’t the case. As you said. Let’s make some more ham sandwiches ???

  6. Jaladhi says

    Nov 30, 2015 at 5:32 pm

    Either the Pope doesn’t understand Islam or he is being politically correct. In this politically correct world no leader can tell the truth about Islam because it will racist and bigoted. No amount of visits by Pope is going to dissuade Muslims from their desire to kill us all!!

    • mortimer says

      Nov 30, 2015 at 8:59 pm

      The pope does not want to know the JIHAD DOCTRINE of warfare against disbelievers.

  7. Paul says

    Nov 30, 2015 at 6:06 pm

    The BBC focused upon muslims who were seeking refuge from
    Christian militia in that part of Africa. Of course, there was no mention
    whatsoever of what had prompted the Christian militia there to turn on
    their muslim neighbours. Don’t you just love their objectiveness and impartiality!

    • ECAW says

      Dec 1, 2015 at 4:48 am

      Yes, I remember. I had no idea there was trouble in C.A.R until the Christians started fighting back.

      • Paul says

        Dec 1, 2015 at 7:43 am

        Aaaqil Ahmed is Commissioning Editor for Religion and Head of
        Religion & Ethics at the BBC. I’m sure this biased ‘reporting’,
        the anti-Israel stance taken at the BBC and the shameless attempts
        at proselytisation in Eastenders is just a massive coincidence.

        • Paul says

          Dec 1, 2015 at 9:35 am

          *”Aaqil Ahmed”, spelt the name wrong.

  8. mortimer says

    Nov 30, 2015 at 6:31 pm

    Pope Francis was speaking for Muslims? “Together, we say no to hatred, to vengeance and violence”

    Impossible! Firstly, since when do Muslims follow the Pope? and Secondly, what is Islamic doctrine in the matter of hatred, vengeance and violence?

    1) Hatred – Koran 60:4 says that “there has arisen, between us and you, enmity and hatred forever, unless ye believe in Allah and Him alone” …that’s permanent ‘hatred’ from the Muslim side.

    2) Vengeance – Koran 11.173 says “Believers, retaliation is decreed for you in bloodshed.” Koran 2.178 says, “O you who believe! retaliation is prescribed for you in the matter of the slain.”

    3) Violence – Koran 48.29 “Muhammad is the messenger of Allah Those with him are VIOLENT (ashiddaa’) against the unbelievers (kufaar), Compassionate amongst themselves.” (Richard Bell’s translation)

    So far, Pope Francis is wrong on three key doctrines of Islam…what else is he wrong about?

    Pope Francis, you undermine your own credibility by PONTIFICATING about ISLAM!

  9. Rich says

    Nov 30, 2015 at 6:36 pm

    Pope Francis explicitly encouraged Europe [and the U.S.] to take in all the so-called “refugees”, under the guise of “compassion” and “social justice”. Moreover, Pope Francis has had this to say about Islam:

    1. “Authentic Islam and the proper reading of the Koran are opposed to every form of violence” [Evangelii Gaudium #253][November, 2013].

    2. “Islam is a religion of peace, one which is compatible with respect for human rights and peaceful coexistence” [Religion News Service, December 23, 2014].

    Read those two statements again slowly to yourself and let them sink in. Then ask yourself just how ignorant of the theology and history of Islam a person would have to be to make such statements.

    Now here’s the kicker. He is the pope, the leader of the world’s largest single religious denomination.

    What an absolute disgrace and embarrassment.

    • mortimer says

      Nov 30, 2015 at 9:02 pm

      The pope is using the PRESTIGE of his office to annul the teachings of consensus Islam.

      Jihad against disbelievers is authentic and canonical Islam.

      The pope’s version of Islam is pure guessing. Islam means ‘submission’, not peace.

  10. abad says

    Nov 30, 2015 at 6:37 pm

    Dear Pope Francis:

    Christians want to convert you.

    Muslims want to kill you.

  11. خَليفة says

    Nov 30, 2015 at 6:56 pm

    I expect nothing less from the dhimmi “la papa” (I’m talking Spanish, not Italian) than I would from any other potatoe headed person.

    He shows that he is unwilling to call evil evil. For those that don’t know, holy roman tradition is more important to Catholic doctrine than the Bible; and Catholic doctrine states that Mary is the co-savior of mankind.

    Does the pope consider himself a cannibal when he eats the communion, which, according to Catholic doctrine becomes the literal body of Christ? Unlike Protestants where communion is figurative.

    Fools will be fools – stop trying to make the apocalypse come.

    • Angemon says

      Nov 30, 2015 at 7:09 pm

      “El Papa”, not “La Papa”.

      • jewdog says

        Nov 30, 2015 at 8:00 pm

        La Papa is a potato (he did say potato head, with an e, like Dan Quayle), El Papa is the Pope, and La Frite is a French fry. When La Papa meets L’Etat Islamique, you get les patates frites.

        • خَليفة says

          Dec 2, 2015 at 2:17 am

          Precisely JD. ( forgive me for not writing out your name, even though you chose it, it still felt “odd” for me to write it )

    • gravenimage says

      Nov 30, 2015 at 11:07 pm

      There’s nothing intrinsically wrong with Catholicism vis-a-vis Islam. Devout Catholics–*including* popes–have recognized the threat of Jihad before over the centuries, and have bravely and effectively fought against it.

    • Luke says

      Dec 1, 2015 at 6:33 am

      Merely following, and faithful to, Our Lords own words in Luke 22:19 “This is My body”

  12. mortimer says

    Nov 30, 2015 at 9:16 pm

    No one is as blind as he who will not see.

    Your Holiness…I beg you to learn the jihad doctrine…please.

  13. silvergreycat says

    Nov 30, 2015 at 10:34 pm

    see also… http://answering-islam.org/Hoaxes/vatican2.html

  14. Mary says

    Dec 1, 2015 at 3:18 am

    Francis is a moron. Period.

    He has officially won the world’s dumbest Pope. Congratulations fool.

    And we Catholics call you poop. Oopps mean Pope. Hah

    Reality is. This is not his authoritative area. So he needs to shut up and keep to himself and speak about what he DOES know.

    And by the way. It’s not climate change either.

    The dope

    • Malcolm (African Catholic) says

      Dec 1, 2015 at 6:11 am

      Really Mary

      You say you are Catholic and make statements that are completely false.

      Pope Francis is a priest not your personal politician.

      Have no problem with those who are not catholic who insult us but you are disgraceful, possibly as a result of your education or upbringing, Go to confession now.

  15. J. P. Theo says

    Dec 1, 2015 at 3:53 am

    The picture of the bird (?raptor) attacking the white “dove of peace” is an apt metaphor of the relationship between Islam and peaceful Christianity. In the long historic record, when have peaceful Christians prevailed against Islam? It seems to me that it has always taken the force of arms.

    As a Catholic I recognize the concept of “just war” – in essence a defensive war. Does our pope? At what stage do we begin to defend our civilization, our culture, our faith or indeed our families and ourselves?

    Peace is always better – but war may be thrust upon us. And will be, unless…..

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