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Pope and Patriarch of Moscow decry persecution of Mideast Christians, don’t name persecutor, call for dialogue

Feb 13, 2016 11:25 am By Robert Spencer

The Pope and the Patriarch of Moscow met in Havana. What an interesting choice for a meeting place. Were they reporting to their superiors? Anyway, while there, they decried the Muslim persecution of Middle Eastern Christians. To them, however, it isn’t the Muslim persecution of Christians, but just the persecution of Christians by some mysterious unnamed agent. They speak about it entirely in the passive voice, as if no one were actually doing it. It could just as well be an earthquake or a hurricane. Yet even though they don’t dare to speak honestly about what is happening and why, they seem to think that “interreligious dialogue” will help solve the problem — as if “dialogue” is going to make the Qur’anic imperative to make war against and subjugate Christians (9:29) go away. They’re whistling in the dark, like most all Christian clerics nowadays.

Patriarch Kirill and Pope Francis

“Joint Declaration of Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill,” Vatican Radio, February 2, 2016 (thanks to David):

8. Our gaze must firstly turn to those regions of the world where Christians are victims of persecution. In many countries of the Middle East and North Africa whole families, villages and cities of our brothers and sisters in Christ are being completely exterminated. Their churches are being barbarously ravaged and looted, their sacred objects profaned, their monuments destroyed. It is with pain that we call to mind the situation in Syria, Iraq and other countries of the Middle East, and the massive exodus of Christians from the land in which our faith was first disseminated and in which they have lived since the time of the Apostles, together with other religious communities.

9. We call upon the international community to act urgently in order to prevent the further expulsion of Christians from the Middle East. In raising our voice in defence of persecuted Christians, we wish to express our compassion for the suffering experienced by the faithful of other religious traditions who have also become victims of civil war, chaos and terrorist violence.

10. Thousands of victims have already been claimed in the violence in Syria and Iraq, which has left many other millions without a home or means of sustenance. We urge the international community to seek an end to the violence and terrorism and, at the same time, to contribute through dialogue to a swift return to civil peace. Large–scale humanitarian aid must be assured to the afflicted populations and to the many refugees seeking safety in neighbouring lands.

We call upon all those whose influence can be brought to bear upon the destiny of those kidnapped, including the Metropolitans of Aleppo, Paul and John Ibrahim, who were taken in April 2013, to make every effort to ensure their prompt liberation.

11. We lift our prayers to Christ, the Saviour of the world, asking for the return of peace in the Middle East, “the fruit of justice” (Is 32:17), so that fraternal co–existence among the various populations, Churches and religions may be strengthened, enabling refugees to return to their homes, wounds to be healed, and the souls of the slain innocent to rest in peace.

We address, in a fervent appeal, all the parts that may be involved in the conflicts to demonstrate good will and to take part in the negotiating table. At the same time, the international community must undertake every possible effort to end terrorism through common, joint and coordinated action. We call on all the countries involved in the struggle against terrorism to responsible and prudent action. We exhort all Christians and all believers of God to pray fervently to the providential Creator of the world to protect His creation from destruction and not permit a new world war. In order to ensure a solid and enduring peace, specific efforts must be undertaken to rediscover the common values uniting us, based on the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

12. We bow before the martyrdom of those who, at the cost of their own lives, have given witness to the truth of the Gospel, preferring death to the denial of Christ. We believe that these martyrs of our times, who belong to various Churches but who are united by their shared suffering, are a pledge of the unity of Christians. It is to you who suffer for Christ’s sake that the word of the Apostle is directed: “Beloved … rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly” (1 Pet 4:12–13).

13. Interreligious dialogue is indispensable in our disturbing times. Differences in the understanding of religious truths must not impede people of different faiths to live in peace and harmony. In our current context, religious leaders have the particular responsibility to educate their faithful in a spirit which is respectful of the convictions of those belonging to other religious traditions. Attempts to justify criminal acts with religious slogans are altogether unacceptable. No crime may be committed in God’s name, “since God is not the God of disorder but of peace” (1 Cor 14:33).

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Filed Under: Catholic Church, dialogue, Featured, willful ignorance Tagged With: Patriarch Kirill, Pope Francis, Russian Orthodox Church


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Comments

  1. jihad3tracker says

    Feb 13, 2016 at 11:41 am

    ****** HERE IS A BRILLIANT ITEM ABOUT COGNITIVE DISSONANCE, POSTED IN AMERICAN THINKER AT THE END OF DECEMBER ****** The essay focused on why Americans cannot face the truth regarding Obama, but the phenomenon of C-D applies as well — or even ESPECIALLY WELL — to pompously pious major “religious” persons.

    If we add (to the toxic tendency toward self-deception) the advanced ages of these two men, with such elderness often accompanied by a tendency to, in the final decade of life, give far too much weight to an illusory nobility of human spirit, then the foolishness on exhibit here in this reportage is the result.

  2. Westman says

    Feb 13, 2016 at 11:56 am

    “In our current context, religious leaders have the particular responsibility to educate their faithful in a spirit which is respectful of the convictions of those belonging to other religious traditions..” – Pope.

    The objective for one of those “religious traditions” is the conversion, subjugation, or killing of Christians.

    “We call upon the international community to act urgently in order to prevent the further expulsion of Christians from the Middle East. In raising our voice in defence of persecuted Christians…” – Pope

    If this is what passes for “defense” by the Pope, then:

    Get those cheeks ready.

  3. Sonja says

    Feb 13, 2016 at 12:02 pm

    So, there is going to be an interreligious debate, but between which religions is not said. They are going to have a debate, but with who is not to be mentioned. How in the world’s name are you going to solve any problem without a true and honest definition of it’s cause? Never mind; I’m not really expecting any answers.

    About this NWO; it is not just me, there are many people around the world who will not be silenced and who will keep on putting their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. And yes, we will be speaking his name!!!!

    • Zuleide Leonardo says

      Feb 13, 2016 at 12:24 pm

      Amen

    • Rev g says

      Feb 13, 2016 at 2:10 pm

      Not a debate, a dialogue. A short one. “Will you stop killing Christians”?
      “No!”
      “Why not?”
      “Our religion says they must convert or die.”
      “Oh, ok.”

      • Sonja says

        Feb 13, 2016 at 2:46 pm

        You are right, I quoted it wrong. Dialogue is not going to happen because I don’t think they will get any imam or other islamic scholar to take part on that.

  4. Benedict says

    Feb 13, 2016 at 12:08 pm

    This dialogue nonsense needs to stop. They need to call it like it is,, and tell the Muslims to stop persecuting Christians. There is no need to be politically correct. That is a leftist liberal communist ideology. The west seems to be swimming in this swill.

    • gravenimage says

      Feb 13, 2016 at 2:37 pm

      Benedict wrote:

      This dialogue nonsense needs to stop.
      …………………………..

      It all depends on who you are “dialoguing” *with*. If it is the Catholics and Eastern Orthodox, I am glad to see it–it is *long* overdue.

      If it is Christians “dialoguing” with the ravening Muslims who want to murder them–who will just use such “dialog” as an occasion for whitewash and Taqiyya–then it is just suicidal madness.

    • Michele Fraser says

      Feb 13, 2016 at 3:55 pm

      Amen brother.

    • Pere LaChaise says

      Feb 14, 2016 at 12:30 am

      Communists did a pretty good job of keeping Moslems in line. Russian Orthodox have a very clear cultural memory of Islam as the enemy that needs to be subjugated in order to keep the world safe. There is no Slavic country where Moslems push around Christians, except perhaps Bosnia where NATO blesses them to in the absence of Russian support for Serbs to keep them in line.
      Wherever the Germans and their allies in NATO exert their power, Moslems (and Catholics) rise to destroy Orthodox Christian communities and their edifices. E.g. Kosovo-Metochia, Craina in Croatia. The overthrow of secular regimes in the Arab world by the US parallels this process of destruction of Eastern Christendom.
      I doubt the Vatican is willing to do much about any of this but needs the Moscow Patriarchate to assist in bolstering what remains of the Christian community in formerly Catholic Europe. Slavic immigrants to those nations are the only segment of the Christian populace that are growing.

      • harbidoll says

        Feb 15, 2016 at 5:32 am

        Russia has a natural defense in the extreme weather in the far north. Rome on the other hand is stuck right out there, the first outpost tween africa , arabia & europe. They are also weakened by scandal & the same financial decline as the rest of the west. Russia & their oil is in a much stronger position. Good to see the 2 leaders speaking together behind closed doors.

        • Peggy says

          Feb 19, 2016 at 5:35 am

          I am very happy that they are speaking to each other and Protestant leaders should be included for now too but it’s what they are saying or not saying that is disturbing.
          I think it’s time all non Muslim leaders got together, identified common enemy and started working on defeating it.
          We must all unite or we will all lose.
          Until I see that my church is willing for fight for me I am not willing to attend it. I have no problem telling them exactly that.

  5. WorkingClassPost says

    Feb 13, 2016 at 12:23 pm

    ’11. We lift our prayers to Christ,’

    I can’t help feeling that most muslims, on hearing that, will laugh, because their coarse creed tells them that only earthly strength is to be respected, and that those who will not fight back are weak and deserving of all the horrors that befall them (that’s most of us btw).

    Of course, when we do fight back, they whinge and cry; as though it is our fault that they did the things they did, and believed the things they believed.

  6. mortimer says

    Feb 13, 2016 at 12:38 pm

    The urgency of the situation is indisputable. That two major church leaders could make a joint appeal is remarkable. Pope Francis should call a conference of all church leaders to discuss this crisis, then issue a joint appeal to all countries to stop the genocide against Christians.

    I agree they should identify ‘JIHAD’ as the cause of the persecution, but this is at least a start.

  7. wildjew says

    Feb 13, 2016 at 12:58 pm

    Pope Francis: “We address, in a fervent appeal, all the parts that may be involved in the conflicts to demonstrate good will and to take part in the negotiating table….”

    What has changed?

    SEPTEMBER 26 1942

    “The Holy See has always been, and still is greatly preoccupied, out of a heart filled with constant solicitude, with the fate of civil populations defenseless against the aggressions of war.

    Since the outbreak of the present conflict no year has passed, that We have not appealed in Our public utterances to all the belligerents, – men who also have human hearts moulded by a mother’s love- to show some feeling of pity and charity for the sufferings of civilians, for helpless women and children, for the sick and the aged, on whom a rain of terror, fire, destruction and havoc pours down out of a guiltless sky. (Nov. 1940, Easter 1941), Our appeal was little heeded, as the world knows, and tens of thousands know to their own personal grief.”

    http://docs.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/psf/box51/t466y04.html

    No mention of the Jewish victims. No mention of Nazi Germany. At least Pope Francis spoke of Christian victims but not of their tormentors.

  8. celticwarriorcanada says

    Feb 13, 2016 at 1:20 pm

    “Differences in the understanding of religious truths , must not impede people of different faiths to live in peace and harmony . ” This statement Maybe Appears to be A Higher Moral Standard proposed by two Elderly Men , Highest Leaders in Two Ecclesiastical Establishment ! As Elderly Men I Respect them ! As Ecclesiastical Leaders I’m Skeptical . With all do Respects ! These two men Appear like they are experiencing slight memory loss and seem” weary” and ” Tired” of their official duties . When in the History Of The Papacy and The Eastern Churches Confrontation With BARBARIANS Did INTERFAITH DIALOGUE EVER ACCOMPLISH MUCH ? Ecclesiastical leaders at the most PLAYED more of the Role of Negotiators : HEADING OFF for A TIME , ” THE INEVITABLE” , often through bribes and Pay offs . While the Old ROME would suffer only temporary set backs ; the NEW ROME AT Constantinople would suffer a CRUSHING BLOW at the hands of the OTTOMAN BARBARIANS ! I guess THE INTERFAITH DIALOGUE MUST HAVE DRIED UP !!!

  9. Steve says

    Feb 13, 2016 at 1:24 pm

    What would you like Francis and Kirill to boldly proclaim? Pope Benedict spoke the truth at Regensburg and a defenseless Nun was executed.

  10. Walter Sieruk says

    Feb 13, 2016 at 1:31 pm

    If this Patriarch of Moscow and the pope are so unrealistic that they really feel that they may be able to have any genuine kind of worthwhile “inter-religious dialogue” with the imams or mullahs or the Muslims in power in Islamic countries on the subject of the terribly harsh and brutal ways many Muslims treat Christians then this Patriarch and the pope are in need of a reality check Even the idea of engaging with the militant Muslims with dialogue based on reason and logic is a pipe-dream. Any type of “talks” wit the Muslims in power are doomed to be double talks filled with lies,deception and half-truths. History show that such negotiations are at best just a waste of time ,effort and actions of futility . For whatever the Russian Patriarch and the pope may say the Islamic persecution of Christians in the Middle East will continue.

  11. Voytek Gagalka says

    Feb 13, 2016 at 1:36 pm

    Do you know when refreshing change will come? When the Patriarch of Moscow will shave his beard and the Pope will grow one. Until that will happen, nothing will really change, all their PC talks and mutual dialog to the contrary notwithstanding.

  12. gravenimage says

    Feb 13, 2016 at 2:29 pm

    Pope and Patriarch of Moscow decry persecution of Mideast Christians, don’t name persecutor, call for dialogue
    …………………………..

    One step forward; two steps back…

  13. billybob says

    Feb 13, 2016 at 2:57 pm

    Is the Pope wearing a yarmulke? And the other guy – isn’t he wearing the hat of the Grand Puba of the Masonic Temple? That symbol on it sure looks like the symbol on Mason’s rings.

    • Mary says

      Feb 14, 2016 at 7:26 am

      Quite funny you mention that. I don’t doubt you. Masonry is flying high with today’s leader . I’m not surprised it would be in the church.

  14. Spot On says

    Feb 13, 2016 at 3:39 pm

    I suspect that when the Vatican gets hit by Muslim Jihadists, there will be a change in tone. For now, PC is what feels good. Liberals hate facts and love feelings.

    • MTMLA says

      Feb 15, 2016 at 10:17 pm

      I don’t understand what these people need to see/ know in order to speak the truth about Islam…

  15. Adrian says

    Feb 13, 2016 at 5:18 pm

    For most of the 20th century, the Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch, bishops, priests and officials were either KGB or reported to the Kremlin police… Kirill is no exception…

    Fine bedfellows they make together, with a Pope who exulted over “common spiritual values” with Islam, after a meeting with Iran recently.

    • Huck Folder says

      Feb 13, 2016 at 7:56 pm

      Well OK then, they’re both communists.

  16. isabella van der westhuizen says

    Feb 14, 2016 at 3:22 am

    They are edging closer to stating toy outright
    I am sure the Holy Church will get there
    We must pray for our Church and for a reawakening of Christian faith in the west as that is all that can defeat Islamic aggression

  17. Mary says

    Feb 14, 2016 at 7:29 am

    Well.

    I’m catholic. I love the church.

    What’s going on? Francis is wrong. His dialog is nonsense. It doesn’t exist.

    It only happens on the point of evangelism and as far as we all can see. There is none. None what so ever

    Because you see. Idleness. Plain and simple. Allows this Pope to be comfortable where he is. With no change to be encouraged or in bedded. And no resolution for Christian persecution.

    This story is getting old and I’m tired. Tired of hearing it.

  18. Bobby says

    Feb 14, 2016 at 12:15 pm

    The Church are leading their flock to destruction through this mealy mouthed rhetoric. They are palying into the hands of the establishment by refusing to identify those who are persecuting the Christians.

    The establishment seek to criminalise those making any form of competent threat analysis and the church are helping them along in the destruction of not only Christians but of civilisation itself.

  19. Mockingjay says

    Feb 14, 2016 at 6:22 pm

    Just a word in defence of the Catholic Church: I read that the Vatican actually DID name Islamists as the persecutors – even if it wasn’t in the joint statement they made here.

  20. steve says

    Feb 14, 2016 at 10:45 pm

    Ecclesiastesl 3. Lukewarm Christianity from the city of gold. We need a pope with a pair.

  21. ICH says

    Feb 15, 2016 at 9:53 am

    What they dont get is Islam laughs at them.
    Their fancy hats and cloaks may get them rockstar status with the sheep
    but anyone named Muhammed despises them.

  22. MTMLA says

    Feb 15, 2016 at 11:03 pm

    In the book Thomas Jefferson and the aTripoly Pirate by Brian Kilmeade and Don Yeager, John Adams asks the Tripolitan embassador Abdrahaman ” how the Barbary States ( Morroco, Algeria, Tunisia, Tripoli ( today’s Libya) could justify making war upon nations who had done them no injury .” ( in the late 1700’s and early 1800 the young nation of the US had a problem with these nations which would attack their merchant ships, steal the ships with the cargo , and enslave the crew for ransom or sold them in the market and many died due to ill tratment. Many countries paid tribute to the Barbary nations to be able to travel in the Mediterranean without being attacked)
    The Tripolitan responded that” all nations which had not acknowledged the prophet were sinners whom it was the right and duty of the faithful (muslim) to plunder and enslave”… To Abdrahaman..in his culture the takers of ships, the enslavers of men, the Barbarians who extorted bribes for safe passage, were all justified by the teachings of the prophet Muhammad. It was written in the Qu’ran”.( pp 14 & 15)
    There were no Israel or the Iraq war then…. the driving forces were then and are now the Qur’ran and the prophet.
    The two religious men should read this book as an eye opener.

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