“Nazir-Ali faced biting criticism from his liberal fellow Anglican bishops for not toeing the Church of England’s politically correct line on Islam.”
He won’t find the Church of Rome any different in that regard.
“Celeb Anglican Bishop Comes Home to Rome,” by Jules Gomes, ChurchMilitant.com, October 14, 2021:
Dr. Michael Nazir-Ali, former bishop of Rochester, England — once the see of English martyr St. John Fisher — and a champion of persecuted Christians in Islamic countries, has joined the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham.
“I write to let you know of my reception into the ordinariate established for Anglicans who wish to be in full communion with the See of Peter,” Lord Nazir-Ali announced….
An Ordinariate priest told Church Militant that “Lord Nazir-Ali is the most high-profile convert from the Church of England to Rome for the last 100 years, probably since the conversion of the intellectual giant Msgr. Ronald Knox.”
“Michael is one of the most prodigious intellects of our time, a heroic apologist for the faith, a bulwark against radical Islam, a laser-sharp cultural commentator, a persuasive preacher, a passionate evangelist of the highest caliber, and a brilliant linguist and poet,” the priest said….
Church Militant also learned that efforts were made at the highest level of the Vatican to dissuade 72-year-old Nazir-Ali from converting to Catholicism.
“First, Nazir-Ali isn’t the kind of convert we are looking for under the Francis pontificate. Second, such a high-profile conversion is a setback to ecumenism. Third, Pope Francis seems to have always indicated he believes in the validity of Anglican orders,” a senior Argentinian-based Anglican cleric who knew Cdl. Jorge Bergoglio in Buenos Aires told Church Militant….
The first non-white diocesan bishop in the Church of England and an Islamic scholar who is fluent in Urdu and Farsi, Pakistani-born Nazir-Ali faced biting criticism from his liberal fellow Anglican bishops for not toeing the Church of England’s politically correct line on Islam.
An indefatigable campaigner against Muslim apostasy laws in Pakistan and a prolific writer on Islam, Nazir-Ali said he regretted the church was not doing enough to convert Muslims to Christianity.
“The so-called ‘blasphemy law’ has caused considerable grief for Christians and other non-Muslim minorities since even the expression of their belief can be construed as insulting the Prophet,” he wrote in a foreword to Freedom to Believe: Challenging Islam’s Apostasy Law.
After a 15-year apostolate as the 106th bishop of Rochester, Nazir-Ali resigned his bishopric at the age of 59, announcing he would devote the rest of his life to working for persecuted Christians in Muslim-dominated regions.
In 2008, the bishop received death threats after criticizing Islamic extremists for creating “no-go areas” for non-Muslims in Britain. However, thousands of white working-class Britons wrote to him and in the media commending him for his truth-telling and courage.
Nazir-Ali, who also served as bishop of Raiwind in Pakistan, blamed multiculturalism for segregating religious groups and said Britain’s abandoning the Christian faith had led to a “multi-faith mish-mash.”
The ideology of Islamic extremism had further alienated “the young from the nation in which they were growing up and turn[ed] separate communities into ‘no-go’ areas,” he wrote in Britain’s The Sunday Telegraph.
“If it had not been for the Black-majority churches and the recent arrival of people from central and Eastern Europe, the Christian cause in many of our cities would have looked a lost one,” he argued.
Bishop Nazir-Ali’s comments “have angered many working in interfaith relations, who say he has undermined years of patient work,” the liberal Church Times commented….
Infidel says
Catholic priests trying to dissuade wannabe Catholics from converting? Can they be sent to India, to states where ‘Christian’ missionaries are pitching Christ as a Hindu deity, as opposed to a Jewish preacher in Roman era Palestine, in order to convert Hindus? Where they can tell those Hindus not to convert to this false god?
As for Bishop Nazir-Ali, since he’s not welcome in Rome, maybe he could consider the Greek Orthodox church, and if that fails, embrace something like Sikhism, which he should be able to easily understand if he’s from Pak Panjab
Cynthia in California says
We’ll be happy to have him in Russian Orthodoxy, too; just the same as Greek Orthodoxy except for the liturgical language.
How refreshing to see a public Christian official take on Islam! Gives me (long-term…very long-term) hope.
Cynthia in California says
We’ll be happy to have him in Russian Orthodoxy (or the Orthodox Church in America; see oca.org). Our beliefs are the same as those in Greek Orthodoxy; we differ with respect to the liturgical language.
Learning of a high-profile public Christian official taking on Islam gives me (long-term… very long-term) hope.
mortimer says
The rejection that happened to Nazir-Ali due to his correct, but uncomfortable message, is what happens to all prophets who get their timing off. In the future, Nazir-Ali will be a hero when the politically-correct British elites have the scales fall off their eyes. The British elites are currently wallowing in post-colonial guilt and just can’t shake it off or see anything wonderful about their own country and culture.
The death wish of Britain while bad, is nowhere as bad as it is in Germany or Sweden.
somehistory says
Such a time in …what will one day be history…
The Apostle Paul described these days and one of the things he said would be that people would be “not open to any agreement.”
The pope and other clergy don’t really care what Jesus said, or “Commanded.” They care more for how they look, where they will get their next pat on the back and what’s for dinner.
Obviously, there are a few of them who might make it as U.S. Marines. But these are few, and quickly silenced by those who favor mozlums, liars, and others who commit evil on a daily basis.
Wellington says
The old Roman Catholicism is as dead as the old National Football League in America (Americans of sense and knowledge will grasp this and it is understandable if one is not an American one will not). Both were once great in their own way. Neither any longer is.
Just as Pope Urban II is turning over in his grave, so is the once-great Johnny Unitas (who himself was an old-style Roman Catholic).
My God, how precipitously fast Western Civilization is falling. Still correctable but running out of time. Chief enemies here of this most desired reversal: 1) Leftism; 2) Islam; 3) willful ignorance.
This is all—for now.
tim gallagher says
Wellington, the Catholic church does seem, like so many institutions these days, to have swallowed the entire woke agenda. I hope there will be a return to more sensible values in the church in the future. Off this topic, you seem to have been a fan of American football, so I have a question for you. I like sport, but I only follow Rugby League in terms of football codes. However, quite a few years ago now, back in 2012, I did see what I consider to be the most amazing thing I have ever seen anyone do in any sport and it was that incredible somersault touchdown by Jerome Simpson. I saw it on one of the TV news reports out here and have watched it quite a bit on youtube. They call it a flip on google which must be the American term for it. We’d call it a somersault. I have told so many people out here, including many Australian sport commentators, to check out this incredible feat by Simpson. Most of them didn’t know about it. I have often wondered if most Americans do know about Jerome Simpson’s touchdown. Obviously, some people have no interest in sport at all, but I think what Simpson does deserves to be seen by everyone. Without a doubt, the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen in sport. So my question is, would you say most Americans are aware of it? I’m guessing that you don’t like American football now because of all the woke stuff, the taking the knee, etc. This seems to be infecting sport everywhere.
Wellington says
I still love American football, tg, and continue to watch high school and college football—though for how long I’m not sure. And yeah, that flip or somersault was something but I believe others have done that as well or something like it.
Enjoy both rugby and soccer (played goalie in college) but American football remains my favorite team sport. What a damn shame that the NFL has gone woke. What a waste and millions of Americans like me have completely given up on the NFL.
tim gallagher says
Thanks for the reply, Wellington, about Jerome Simpson’s somersault touchdown and football in general. I have seen a few other players doing flips or somersaults in American football but I could not believe how high in air Simpson flew. He took off like Superman. Absolutely freakish, but no doubt very dangerous as well. In Australia, probably the biggest football code is Aussie Rules, which is like Gaelic football. But Rugby League would be the biggest brand of football in New South Wales and Queensland. It is the only one I bother with. Have people really given up on the NFL because of the woke garbage? It infects various sports out here as well to some degree, but I will always watch the actual game, but I switch channels while the other crap is on. I’m only interested in watching good athletes perform not the other stuff.
somehistory says
tg,
One of my favorite “plays” in football here was when Roger Staubach threw what he later called his “hail Mary” pass to Drew Pearson. The Cowboys were always my favorite team, right from their first season.
I am not Catholic and had not much exposure to what the beliefs are and so when he told reporters after the game that he closed his eyes said a quick Hail Mary, and let the ball go,
it was easy from that point for me to recall it all of these years later.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saA95EH05jc ( the play and
the two guys talk about the play years later)
I guess that connects football with the article’s subject on this thread?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSnbcZYszbc (shorter version of the play)
somehistory says
There was also a 99 yard run by Tony Dorset, but I don’t know whether he’s Catholic . Just enjoyed the play.
tim gallagher says
Thanks for the comments, somehistory, and the videos which I will watch later. I haven’t watched a lot of American football, but, as I said up above, when I saw the extraordinary Somersault touchdown by Jerome Simpson on the TV news, I was stunned. I remember that the commentary on the news said, hey, this is not something out of Hollywood movie but something that happened in genuine game of football. I have told many of our sports commentators out here in Australia to check it out. One of my sisters, who has no interest in sport, saw it it and was amazed. I have often wondered if most people in the USA know about it, which is why I asked Wellington, since he seems to know about football.. Our football players here in Australia are very good athletes but no-one could do what Simpson did. I think that, if you have over 300 million people in the USA, then one day you come up with someone who can do something as freakish as that. On the Hail Mary type pass, I guess,(and I am a Catholic) that I always thought that it meant doing an almost impossible thing. Basically, saying a prayer that it will go right and then giving it a go, even though it’s almost impossible that it will work out. Something about American football that intrigues me is how any player can still be playing when they are as old as Tom Brady. I guess that quarterbacks hardly ever get smashed by defenders. No-one could last as long as Brady in Rugby League. All the players do get knocked around a lot. They are all retired by their late thirties at the oldest and most in their early thirties. Of course, you would think a quarterback’s shoulder would give out over the years just from endless usage. It is amazing that someone like Brady, in his mid forties, is still playing.
somehistory says
tg,
I have watched quite a bit of soccer, but only in British movies or tv programs have I seen any rugby and not that much.
American football players like to “sack the quarterback,” and will if they can get to him before he releases the ball. If the “hit” him after, tackle, make contact, it is a severe penalty.
The quarterback generally tries to stay “in the pocket,” which is the place he is standing when he receives the snap, and is surrounded by other players.
They do get hit quite often, but not as hard usually as the players who are themselves lineman, guards, etc. Roger Staubach had trouble with his hand after playing for years. I believe his thumb was broken in a game. If I remember correctly, he also had elbow problems.
I was thinking about the prayer thing before he threw the ball…and that “play” is now referred to the Hail Mary when it’s tried by other quarterbacks, Catholic or not…Playing ball is their *job.*
I no longer work, but when I did, I would pray that I do it well, and when I’m doing anything else, driving, housework stuff, painting, writing, even writing letters to loved ones so I can be upbuilding, etc. I pray for help to do it well, to do it right.
So I understand Staubach’s saying one. That was his job and his team depended on him to help them win and make a good living.
tgusa says
Growing up I was a huge NFL fan. By no other choice but my own I watched the Super Bowl way back when no one else was watching. I rooted for players, not teams. Roger Staubach, Bob Lilly and the rest of the Dallas Cowboys of the 70s were my favorite and I didn’t live in Texas. He wasn’t nick named Roger the Dodger for a reason.i have my favorites from the 80s but that’s a more complicated issue. Free Agency and the moving of teams changed that old way of being a fan. I haven’t watched since the mid 90s and today I don’t even think about it.
somehistory says
I loved watching Roger play…as all the Cowboys or the Boys as some called them. I didn’t live in Texas either, and was just a kid, watching with my father and one of my older brothers.
My brother liked the Pittsburgh Steelers, as I recall and he didn’t like it much when Dallas won against them and I was “yaying” throughout.
When Danny White was “demoted” to backup, I began to lose interest in watching any of the games played by any team. I watched a game or two with Aikman, but it just wasn’t the same.
So much is spoiled with the emphasis on money and politics. And now, it just has to be “culturally sensitive” or some such rot.
tim gallagher says
Just as a last comment on football, somehistory, there are two types of rugby. One is Rygby Union which is played in many countries and usually the New Zealand team, the All Blacks, are the best team. To me, that is a boring game. It gets far too bogged down in technicalities. The game I watch and like is Rugby League, which isn’t played in so many countries, only in the UK, Australia and New Zealand and places like Samoa, Tonga, etc. But it is a far more fast moving and exciting type of game. On praying, I do pray quite a bit though I must say things in my life often don’t improve and remain difficult. But I do believe that God is holding me up and carrying me along in difficult times. Thanks for the information about American football, somehistory and tgusa. I doubt whether I will ever see anything in sport that impresses me as much as that touchdown by Jerome Simpson. To me, that was absolutely freakish, but incredibly dangerous. If anything went wrong, he could have ended up in wheelchair for the rest of his life.
somehistory says
tg,
When we pray, we can remember Jesus. He prayed…a lot…and one of His prayers was that ‘it pass Him’…His horrific torture and death that He did not wish to suffer, “However, not as I will, but as You will,” He said to His Father. He did suffer immensely, but He never lost faith in His Father, and He never gave in to what satan wanted.
Jesus said that if we “endure to the end,” meaning that things might not improve much from praying, but, as you are doing, we “endure.” God “carries us along.”
Did you ever see the *story* about the guy on the beach, where his footsteps were suddenly accompanied by another set, and then soon after, only one set remained?
He was walking alone, Jesus came to walk with him, and then carried him.
And you are welcome for the little bit of football info I provided. It is a complicated game and I’m sure your version is no less so. And I do recall seeing the Simpson play on replay, but I wasn’t watching the game. The play impressed a lot of those guys who comment during the games.
mortimer says
Pope Francis will be cold towards anyone who doubts the pope’s spontaneous, unread views on Islam.
RichardL says
he is also cold towards the children who were killed in the womb so that they can produce “vaccines”; in fact he is quite enthusiastic about the child killing.
somehistory says
+1000%
DV says
Many Kudos to Dr. Michael Nazir-Ali who, unlike many who write on these pages in both articles and comments, wisely recognizes that neither Francis nor his cabal of leftists are synonymous with the Catholic Church. If they were, then Nazir-Ali would be a complete fool to convert, but Nazir-Ali’s greater wisdom now recognizes that the Fullness of Christianity is and always has been only in the Church founded by Christ. As such, he has both the intellectual courage and personal integrity to join Christ’s One True Church instead of staying away or leaving it based on false reasons, bogus history applications, and many other excuses employed by many others.
Imagine that: a man having the wisdom, strength, and faith to resist personal attacks, efforts to discourage his joining Christ’s Church, and the lack of solid temporal leadership currently failing the Church because he understands the eternal quality of Christ’s Church and Christ’s promise to His Church that continues on despite flawed leadership from time-to-time.
gravenimage says
Vatican top dogs tried to dissuade Islamocritical Anglican from converting to Catholicism
…………….
Good lord…
And this is because he has dared to condemn Jihad terror.
tgusa says
“Vatican top dogs”
That is an insult to dogs. Dogs are very loyal and protective. Dogs guard against unwelcome intruders. If you are looking for a good friend get a dog and avoid the Pope and the Vatican.
somehistory says
vatican top maggots…..maggots are unlovable, but they have their uses…processing garbage.
The vatican top maggots allow us to see a good example of a bad thing.
tgusa says
We know our civilization is circling the drain when we are discussing the usefulness of maggots in comparison to some humans.
somehistory says
It reminds me of king herod where the Bible says he was eaten by worms. Some people today….yes, it is as you say.
¶“20 Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. Their country depended on the king’s country for food, so they came to him with a united front to make peace —they’d been able to win over Blastus, the king’s personal aide. 21On an appointed day, Herod dressed himself in royal clothing, sat on the throne, and made a speech to them. 22 The people shouted, ‘The voice of God, and not of a man!’ 23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he didn’t give God the glory. He was eaten by worms and died (Acts 12:20-23).”.
https://www.simplybible.com/f78y-acts-c12-v18-25.htm#:~:text=An%20angel%20of%20the%20Lord%20caused%20Herod%20to,disease.%20We%20won%27t%20dwell%20on%20this%20terrible%20affliction.