How broadminded! How generous! The idea here is to introduce some quality control in the training of imams: to make sure that they learn about Belgian values, and that they aren’t taught that jihad warfare against unbelievers and the subjugation of those unbelievers under Islamic law is something they should pursue. But that imperative is taught in. the Qur’an and Sunnah. Unless they’re going to introduce a different Qur’an and Sunnah in Belgium, it will be hard to keep it out. The Catholic universities will also be too wary of committing “Islamophobia” to exercise too much oversight over the content of the classes, much less to dictate what can and cannot be taught.
Meanwhile, when are the Islamic institutions in Belgium starting their training of Catholic priests?
“Leave them; they are blind guides. And if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” (Matthew 15:14).
“Catholic universities in Belgium to help train Muslim imams,” by Martin Bürger, LifeSiteNews, February 7, 2020:
LEUVEN, Belgium, February 7, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Two prestigious Catholic universities will offer programs for the first time in Belgium to help train imams who serve as prayer leaders and preachers in mosques.
Announced at the end of 2019, the programs of study grew out of the work of an official commission “launched after Islamist attacks in Brussels in 2016,” reported weekly newspaper The Tablet. The aim is to provide university-level education for prospective imams.
In Belgium, certain ministers of religion are paid by the government. Following the new programs supported by two Catholic universities, this also will be possible for imams, as the courses will be recognized by the state.
Flanders Today indicated that another goal of the new programs is “to persuade people with an Islamic vocation to study at home rather than abroad.”
“We are building a Belgian training program for ministers in the Islamic faith in order to reduce foreign influence,” explained Koen Geens, Belgium’s minister of justice and a member of the Christian Democrats. “It’s important that we know what they are studying.”
According to Flanders Today, the programs are not only directed at educating imams but at preparing people “for other roles in the Islamic faith, such as counselors, pastors and theologians. The goal is to make sure that their religious knowledge is accompanied by an appreciation of Belgium’s laws and social values.”
The Catholic University of Leuven and the Catholic University of Louvain, which help to offer training for future imams, have the same history. In 1968, because of tensions between the Dutch-speaking and the French-speaking part, two separate universities were established. The distinct universities are now located roughly 30 kilometers apart….
In a second and longer step, Flanders Today continued, students will have to undergo theological formation in their religion, “including study of the Koran and some kind of internship.”
Responsible for the theological component of the program will be a new institute called AFOR, which was set up in conjunction with the government and the Executive of Belgian Muslims. Here, the Catholic universities no longer play a role….
Flanders Today mentioned the Catholic University of Leuven was expecting around 30 students to start their six years of preparation for becoming an imam. Courses begin this month….
James says
Seriously WTF
J says
I mean this literally sounds like a joke that would have been in the onion or the Babylon bee after they’re trained no one gets to pick what they’re learning the Belgian consulate Muslims does so in other words it eliminates any quality control they’re hoping for
Sabri S. says
My thoughts exactly….but in the other direction. Thanks, but no thanks. It was the Councill of Nicea in 325 that distorted the word and original teachings of the ancient hebrews and early Christians. There is no way in hell that we muslims would allow this to occur with our blessed religion. The era of white supremacy is over, and the cult known as “the vatican” has become an absolute clown entity. What rubbish….and Yashua or Issa as he is known to true believers is turning over in his grave and this colonial and patronizing stupidity. Allah U Akbar, and both Issa and Mohammad warned us about these types…only saying….
gravenimage says
By this, Sabri S. is pretending that Christians and Jews used to be just like Muslims, and that the Torah and Gospels were at one time just as savage as the Qur’an. How *dare* those Jew and Christians believe in such things as loving their neighbors as themselves?
And the Islamic “prophet Issa” is *nothing like the Jesus of the Gospels–his main role in Islam, in fact, is to murder Christians in the last days.
But doesn’t the witless Sabri S. realize that “prophet Issa” is not supposed to have a grave? If he’s not careful, some Muslim more pious than he is is going to have to take him out…
FYI says
1]Your DEAD false “prophet” muhammed must be turning in.. his grave.
Jesus Christ doesn’t have a grave as Jesus is Living.
2]And as for “white supremacy”:do you mean like your “prophet” muhammed,the WHITE ARAB owner,buyer and seller of black african slaves{sahih muslim 3901}
That WHITE ARAB supremacist muhammed.
It seems that the islamic mind is just not evolved enough to get Logic{see 1} or Irony {see 2}as you constantly prove.
You are seriously dim.
It makes no Logical sense to say issa is “turning over in his grave”
It is laughably Ironic you mention White Supremacy when that was precisely what muhammed was.
Your koran,by the way, is the fastest disintegrating ‘holy’ book of all time thanks to the internet and increasing numbers of ex-muslims who can see that they were fooled by your murderously evil “blessed religion”
Janice Mermikli says
Good post.
TruthWFree says
Right ON!!!
Janice Mermikli says
You are one seriously deluded Muslim. Mind you, that is true of all Muslims.
Lion Heart says
James : ??? Jesus man ! It’s like training a fox to watch over chickens ??? these universities are DUMB BEYOND MEASURE
Janice Mermikli says
Yes, what could possibly go wrong?!
toomanyhobbies says
one has to wonder a bunch that had 5 crusades against the CULT WOW they really do have a death wish…
Mitch Kumstein says
Train them…??? To go on the newspaper on the floor…????
revereridesagain says
Probably not, only because they wouldn’t be allowed to train the dogs with the Muslims.
Carol the 1st says
Lie down with metaphorical dogs and you get metaphysical fleas.
mortimer says
Why don’t those Catholic universities instead train evangelists who specialize in Muslim evangelization? Western theological seminaries have an outstanding opportunity to evangelize the many Muslim students and immigrants to the West, something that is hard or impossible in Muslim-majority countries. Catholic universities should require religious knowledge classes for all students. This could introduce many Muslims to correct information about Christians, their faith and practices and introduce them to the Bible and Christian history. There is a general, abysmal ignorance of Western history and culture among Muslims. We should take the opportunity to educate them.
GreekEmpress says
Great post Mortimer! It’s about time the Church returned to following the Great Commission and began evangelizing and making disciples of all nations.
Carol the 1st says
Quite unrealistic – unless guarded in a very unflattering way. Surely much worse than what occurred to cussing teenager Mila would occur? – and would these teachers and students be protected every bit as well? And how about their families back home what with Islam having its coercive methods and all?
Those of the Islamic “vocation” would only tolerated by the herd if a rewarding blurring of the lines helped confuse and stall any timely kafir reactions. They could also figure out how to slip past the law and become increasingly manipulative and devious. Teaching them the law and then conveniently ignoring punishing students who continue to act against it is likely what would happen with dhimmis in charge.
The Catholic church looks like it’s led by a pack of Pollyannas playing musical chairs with the Collection Plate.
Carol the 1st says
Key paragraph in the article:
“In Belgium, certain ministers of religion are paid by the government. Following the new programs supported by two Catholic universities, this also will be possible for imams, as the courses will be recognized by the state.”
Then after sitting through this they can hurry off to the “theological” training (which is now none of our business, thank you very much!)
FYI says
In case the catholic universities don’t know…
And in spite of the current pontiff boasting that allah the Arab god of the muslims is the same as the Christian God.
Here’s a short program to train catholic Theologians…to see the folly of training muslim imams{Why not teach them the Gospel instead?After all allah says he wrote the Bible koran 3:3 and confirms it as being true.}
1]The koran CURSES Christians for believing in Jesus Christ {koran 9:30}
2]The koran denies the crucifixion of Christ 4:157 and the Trinity k4:171
{ muslims believe it was someone else,not Jesus}
3]The koran gets the Theology of the Trinity ludicrously wrong either through ignorance or malice
{allah is after all..”the BEST of deceivers”k3:54}allah thinks Christians divide God into parts consisting of{allah.jesus and..MARY}.Yes that’s right:allah thinks MARY is in the Trinity.Christians are not polytheists.The Trinity is monotheistic but muslims think it is 3 separate gods.
Note that this means that it is also the Holy Spirit that is denied and missing in islam.
4]”oh ye who believe!take not the Jews and Christians for friends.They are friends to one another”
k5:51
the koran is not in favor of genuine “interfaith” dialog..
5]The concept of “love thy neighbor”{2nd chief commandment of God lev19:18} is missing in islam.The koran has an apartheid system and non-muslims{Jews and Christians} are”The Worst of created beings” koran 98:6
muslims believe themselves superior to non-muslims:so there is no concept of others being equal before God as there is in Christianity.
6}dawa folk fool christians and say that Jesus is in the koran:allah says he “bestowed” on Jesus the Gospel{..When did Jesus have the Gospel??..}..which he confirms as True koran 5:46-47
This is NOT Jesus of Nazareth but isa the muslim
And where was the Gospel bestowed upon this “jesus” according to the koran?
In a CRIB:this is an infant speaking…
“Lo!I am the slave of allah.he hath given me the scripture and appointed me a prophet”
koran 19 v {29}-30
Logically and theologically al lah the Arab god of the muslims cannot possibly be the same as the Christian God.Anybody can see that and to promote any equivalence would be a lie.
Unless you are pope francis: and his pro-islam,pro-NWO Vatican is currently clamping down on any dissent within the RCC that does not conform to the pope francis line.
It seems the Catholic church hierarchy and colleges are actively working for that which is antichrist:the koran and islam deny Christ.
Rev. G says
Not to mention that allah is called the greatest of deceivers, and the god of this world.
FYI says
allah’s greatest enemy is ……a MAN.
“The messenger of allah said ‘the most hated of men before me before
allah on the day of resurrection and the most wretched,and the man most hated to him will be the MAN called Malik Al Amlak{“king of kings”}
For there is no king but allah”
{Sahih Muslim vol 5 hadith #5611}
This is an authentic hadith.muslims may try to deny it by pretending the term applies to somebody else{a muslim once told me it was Alexander the Great..!}
So muhammed says allah’s greatest enemy is a MAN by the name of “the king of kings”{ a title that only ONE man has:Revs 19:16}
Since allah claims he wrote the Bible koran 3:3,the author of the koran would surely have know what Malik al Amlak means and who it refers to.
TruthWFree says
No doubt…the allah god is Satan.
TruthWFree says
Very good comments here. I have been studying Islam since 9/11/2001 and have come to the conclusion the being in the cave that appeared to Muhammad in 610 AD was Satan. As you say he denies Jesus’ divinity and death on the cross. What “god” would do that but Satan. If Muhammad had no encounter and made it all up, then he would be the greatest LIAR in all of history. Gospel John 8:44 Jesus says that Satan is the father of all lies”. Either way, Satan spawned.
FYI says
In islam,gabriel or jibreel is officially defined as being “the Enemy of the Jews”{Sahih Bukhari vol 4 bk 60 no 3329}
You cannot have an antisemitic “angel”!
An angel with an antisemitic bias couldn’t possibly belong to God.
Such an entity cannot come from the Biblical God as YHWH is the God of the Jews.
“..even satan can disguise himself to look like an angel of light”
2 Corinthians 11:14
muhammed met the “angel” jibreel in that cave but since jibreel is defined as being “the enemy of the Jews” that was no angel of God!
No Muzzies Here says
I’m sure this is largely due to the fact that the leader of the Catholic Church was photographed kissing an imam on the lips. The Catholic Church has made itself submissive to Islam. I don’t think that this corresponds to the mission that the Catholic Church received 2,000 years ago.
Mark Spahn (West Seneca, NY) says
Go the the original article
https://www.lifesitenews.com/mobile/news/catholic-universities-in-belgium-to-help-train-muslim-imams
and search for the terms “sunni”, “shia”, “ahmadiyya”. You will find none of them. Who will enforce orthodoxy in these imam training programs? Pope Francis?
Carol the 1st says
…”the program of study consists of TWO sections, the first scheduled to last at least TWO years…students will attend “courses on law, political science, religious psychology and sociology, Arabic philosophy, ethics and the history of the Middle East and North Africa”
“In a second and longer step,” Flanders Today continued,”students will have to undergo theological formation in their religion, ‘including study of the Koran and some kind of internship.’
Responsible for the theological component of the program will be a new institute called AFOR, which was set up in conjunction with the government and the Executive of Belgian Muslims. Here, the Catholic universities no longer play a role.”
—-
So the latter FOUR-year section (at a different location and with no oversight by the Catholic universities) will be held where the students carry on their course of studies in whatever manner Islam finds pleasing.
And, if I’m not mistaken, at the end they will NOW have Belgium credentials and will ALSO be able to receive government funding. I expect the “return” will be more on their end.
tim gallagher says
This development, according to the report, says that the aim is to try to prevent or , at least, reduce the foreign influence (of maniacal, foreign hate preacher types of people I guess) on the Belgian Muslims, so it makes a bit of sense. However, I believe that islam is the totally evil and barbaric opposite of Christianity and Christianity should not be getting cosy with revolting Islam (a clear enemy of Christianity) in any way whatsoever, so this is a very alarming development. Muslims are murdering Christians continually and you get rubbish like this. It is a sign of the pathetic way western countries, such as Belgium, are surrendering to barbaric islam. Once you have let Muslims into your country in large numbers then all this type of garbage follows. All our countries have to keep Muslims out in order to avoid this and other rubbish where we compromise our values to accommodate barbaric Islam.
WPM says
Might as well have Rabbis trying to teach to “Moderate Nazis leaders” turn them to preach a kind and gentle form of Nazism. In the 1960s did the leaders of black Christian churches in the American south bring in Klan leaders to try and preach a “kind and gentle” form of the Klan ?
tim gallagher says
I agree, WPM, with the points you make. This scheme is such a waste of time. To my mind Islam is the complete opposite of Christianity and any efforts to get along with islam is a waste of time. The Muslims will always double cross Christians. It is obscene, with Muslims murdering Christians especially in Africa, that we have the Catholic Church acting in this stupidly friendly way towards Islam.
gravenimage says
True, WPM and Tim.
Emilie Green says
Well, the RCC hasn’t been very good at training its priests to keep their hands and other parts off of little boys, maybe it’ll be better at this since Islam already permits sexual license for its males.
gravenimage says
The Catholic Church does not actually teach this–but Islam does.
b.a. freeman says
“Courses begin this month…”
—
… and jihadi attacks commence within days after graduation.
Janice Mermikli says
The jihadi attacks will presumably be the “practical” exam! You couldn’t make it up! When will the West wise up to what Islam is all about- domination by use of violence.
Niemoller says
Sounds like an initiative from Popetollah Francis.
mortimer says
An appropriate new title for the spontaneous pontiff who is a self-appointed authority on Islam without even mastering its teachings.
Islam is so complicated and contradictory, it takes over 10 years to learn and master Islam’s dualistic doctrines.
Carol the 1st says
Can one really “master” what has no rhyme or reason? Only to call it out, I suppose.
Crusades Were Right says
“Is the Pope Catholic?”
A serious question nowadays! lol
TruthWFree says
Yes it is! Shame though.
elee says
Well at least bears still s**t in the woods…
Jim says
They are anti-Christ and apostates if they train worshipers of another god in how to worship that god.
How can people be so absolutely blind?
mortimer says
Answer to Jim. All universities receive government monies and so they are required to follow non-discriminatory laws of the state that pays them.
It is the secular state that is requiring the Catholic universities to contradict their own religious fundamentals.
Carol the 1st says
Could we bail ourselves out (before hoisting ourselves on our own petards) by humbly petitioning that “EVIL” religions don’t qualify for anything other than the boot?
gravenimage says
Mortimer–with all respect–I don’t think the Belgian state–intrusive as it is–is actually forcing these Catholic universities to offer Imam training programs.
Carol the 1st says
Jim…the Catholic universities will not be teaching the students “theology”. They’ll be teaching the subjects listed in my last post (subjects that have always been available to students according to the original article). After two years of what I’d call “generic” info with an Arabic tilt, they’ll heading to a new Muslim beehive for FOUR years of “theology”. Then they’ll be released with Belgium creds and cash support to boot.
Spiro says
No one come to the father except thru me
At least that’s what Christ said the same one Moslems degrade
R Russell says
The end time apostate church acts again (and again)
sheliak says
INSANITY!
tgusa says
The John Paul II year 2000 apology for their inaction regarding the nazi persecution of Jews didn’t last long. At least they are inclusive as they are now enabling the hatred and persecution of all religions as well as those of no religion. But that is nothing new.
gravenimage says
Actually, the Catholic Church probably saved more Jews during the Holocaust than any other body.
owensgate says
Reminds me of Mathew 7-22,23: 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’ If this isn’t applicable to the Catholic church, then I don’t know what is…
gravenimage says
owensgate, I actually think that the Catholic Church saving Jews during the Holocaust was a *good thing*.
tgusa says
Nevertheless, he did feel the need to apologize. John Paul II first apology was for the treatment of Galileo in 1992. Galileo correctly asserted that the Sun was the center of our solar system. The church gave Galileo two choices, recant or be burned at the stake. Galileo recanted, of course, and spent the rest of his life under house arrest. The list of those that John Paul II believed were in need of an apology regarding the churches past actions includes many more people/groups other than Jews.
gravenimage says
Belgium: Two Catholic universities to offer programs to train Muslim imams
…………………….
Are these Catholic universities hoping to teach some sort of “kinder, gentler” Islam? My guess is that they have hired Imams who are naively deemed “moderate”, and then won’t bother to check on what they are teaching at all–and then they will be shocked when their graduates start preaching Jihad and the rape and murder of Infidels.
Jim says
How will they ever win Muslims to Christ if they are teaching Islam in these universities? The primary purpose of the church on earth is to win the lost to Christ; however, by teaching Islam, they are putting their official seal of approval on Islam, and the message is clear: “we see nothing wrong with Islam”. As a result, Muslims who are seeking the truth will never find it at those “Christian” universities.
mortimer says
On the bright side, Jim, many of the books studied and available in Western seminaries are highly advanced criticisms of Islam primary texts. Islamic studies in the West will require Muslims to read these texts and learn the flimsiness of Islamic historicity. That will lead to many Muslim students leaving Islam. Muslims leave Islam when they realize their source texts are hoaxes.
gravenimage says
Mortimer, what leads you to believe that these schools will require Muslims to read texts critical of Islam? Given the current climate, I rather doubt that they will, and if they tried it I’m sure the Muslims would violently complain, screaming “Islamophobia!”.
Carol the 1st says
Jim, if you read the original article (link in Mark Spahn’s post) matters get spelled out a little better (something these writers often prefer to let slip by everyone). The universities for two years will NOT BE TEACHING ISLAMIC THEOLOGY. Subjects are generic ones they’ve always offered to students. Students with an Islamic “vocation” can then go on to four years of theologic training at the hands and supervision of fellow muslims (the Catholic university no longer involved).
It probably has some good points but only if there’s no opportunity to throw Islam overboard.
Patriotliz says
Islam is anti-Christian and never the twain shall meet w/o destruction of one or the other and, the obvious bet is that Christianity will be the one to be destroyed because of its passivity and tolerance of evil.
jca reid says
You could not make this BS up but it is happening! Only in it for the Saudi Money. Absolutely pathetic. Pathetic.
jewdog says
Belgium has introduced an NGO connected with an Islamic terrorist organization to the UN. Israel strongly protested. It also tolerates street marches by Muslims with antisemitic displays.
WithPurpleAbandon says
A false assumption would be in this case that these unis can create something like “euro-Islam”. Of course, it won’t work : Islam is Islam, intransigent by default. You can’t take the “foreign influence” out of Islam, either. It has to be invested with 7th century Arab barbarism. That’s wishy-washy Catholicism in this day and age : totally incomprehensible and effing stupid with regards to Islam.
Igor Slamoff says
Not necessarily a bad idea. If you’re going to have Islam, might as well control it. It all depends on who does the training. The University of Freiburg in Germany has an imam training program whose boss is a secularist-type Muslim who says he is constantly pushing back efforts by Islamic associations to influence the syllabus in an Islamist direction. Most students are women, which is a good sign because females are less inclined to abstract thought and to violence. Program stresses taking care of parishioners’ practical and spiritual needs. In any case better than letting them study in Arabia.
tgusa says
“secularist-type Muslim”
That would be the tiny minority of extremists we have heard about. They don’t last long. Your biggest mistake is thinking that majority islam is controllable.
gravenimage says
Igor, what makes you think that pious Muslims would accept Infidels changing the teachings of Islam?
Carrol says
Well, maybe the muslim pedophiles could get with the catholic pedophiles and compare notes. Heard the pope was thinking about letting ‘priests’ get married, I wonder if it is with a female or another priest. What about the nuns, will they be allowed to get married??? That might fix the catholic pedophile issue but not the thousands of children who were used and abused. islamism and Catholicism are both so DISGUSTING and UNNATURAL.
gravenimage says
Carrol, Catholicism doe not teach pedophilia–Islam does, though.
Randy Eldredge says
Not saying it’s a fact, but I have seen what might be called conspiracy theories that Muhammad was trained and guided by Jesuit Catholic priests to create a “religion” to unite the Arabic peoples against the Jews and gain control of Jerusalem for the Pope. Given the current Pope seems to have a penchant for supporting and encouraging Islam, while treating Islam as an equal to Christianity, it’s perhaps not too had to believe the Pope is in cahoots with Islam and Satan?
tgusa says
Matthew 24:11
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Deuteronomy 18:20-22
“But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.’ And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the word that the LORD has not spoken?’— when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.”