www.byzcath.org Forums News & Events Church News Pope Francis encourages refugees to find hope in the Quran

from Rome Reports:




http://www.harvestingthefruit.com/p...an-11-things-to-know-and-share/#comments

I was a little shocked when I read this, too. But then, I thought to myself, if the shoe were on the other foot--if I were a refugee being helped by friendly Muslims--how would I feel if they took the opportunity of my plight to try and proselytize me? I think my reaction would be that they must only be helping me for their own purposes, and that they're really only looking to make another convert out of me (fat chance of that!), which is more or less what I would have expected.

However, if they were to show respect for my beliefs, I would immediately feel more respectful towards them as people, and less hostile towards Islam as a religion.

The fact is, nothing opens a person's heart more effectively than the experience of genuine (i.e. not self-interested) charity, and however paradoxical this may seem, it is a necessary step to true conversion.

From this perspective, Pope Francis' words don't sound so strange ...


Peace,
Deacon Richard

Good post Fr Deacon Richard. We need to treat headlines like good contemplative prayer and get into the details.

Just more indifferentist nonsense in my opinion. True hope comes only from faith in Christ, and not from a spurious text that contradicts the teaching of the Gospel.

I found the following article helpful:

Islam and Christianity: Where Dialogue Stumbles [chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it]

I agree.

I agree.

If you want to help people you help them without demands or conditions.

When you help people without demands or conditions you win respect, and people look to your example. But you can't help people just to get their respect. Your offer of help and your help must spur from real concern for their welfare.

Telling someone about Christ is always necessary. But sometimes the vehicle is one of respect through interaction rather than the mouth. Didn't Saint Francis of Assisi state: "Proclaim the Gospel at all times. Use words when necessary"? This is an extension of that.

That quote is often attributed to Francis of Assisi, but I remember reading that it's origin cannot be traced.

The closest words to that statement that I can find from him:

"No brother should preach contrary to the form and regulations of the holy Church nor unless he has been permitted by his minister . . . All the Friars . . . should preach by their deeds."

Let me see if I understand. You guys think he really is trying to warm them up to converting, but that he's doing it in a super-smart way by pretending that he's not?

He's faking them out with a little mutually respecty human concerny stuff so they let their guard down before he springs the Jesusey stuff on 'em.

Huh. Sneaky.

I have learned from those who work with refugees in the South Sudan that this is what distinguishes Christian relief agencies from the accurately named Islamic Charity.

Islamic Charity is for Moslems. Period. Want food? Convert...or go hungry.

Telling someone about Christ is what distinguishes genuine Christian relief from well intentioned agencies (sometimes even under the auspices of Christian denominations) which focus exclusively on physical needs.

During Francis pontificate I will be reading the "Liber Pontificalis" books and catching up on the lives of the eighth century Popes and trying to understand the development of ultramontanism and latin church ecclesiology. I'd rather ignore whats going on in the present day. Too strange.

HUH ???

In a word, NO. He is not "trying to warm them up to converting!" What he's trying to do is show forth the love of Christ.

I am merely pointing out that this is *also* the most effective way to break down the wall of mistrust that keeps so many people--Muslims in particular--away from Christ.

He is not being "sneaky" at all--what puzzles me is that you should think this is somehow less sincere than if he were to seize the opportunity to try and proselytize them.


Peace,
Deacon Richard

J
I don't think he's insincere at all. On the contrary, his sincerity and genuine concern are the only two reliable traits I perceive in him. I was only trying to make sense of the posts above, assigning some method I do not see to His Holiness's words.

QFT! People are way too quick to 'assume' that something they hear means what their own bias perceives it to mean.

I have heard the story - can't verify it - that Mohammed took refuge with a Greek priest who hid him out in the monastery when his own people wanted to kill him. True, I don't know. Typical, yes. Wouldn't you love to get your hands on that priest and strangle him? He could have saved the world much misery.

I have also read about the Byzantines who prided themselves on their relations with the Turks. Charity is one thing, being wise as serpents we seem to never have mastered. There is nothing wrong with being gentle as doves, but we don't have to be as dumb and short-sighted.

I have often thought that one of the beautiful things about the Gospel is that it sets us free from "worldly values" because we are delivered from the fear that brings them about.

Therefore, we are able (among other things) to give without looking to get something in return, such as--in this case--converts.

The late Cardinal John O'Connor was once quoted as saying, "bringing relief to those in need *is* the Gospel." I am inclined to agree with him. As long as the people receiving the aid are aware that it is a Christian agency providing it, they are getting the message that the aid is being provided *because* it is "something Christians do." That, in itself, is a powerful message--especially because it is being given "with no strings attached."


Peace,
Deacon Richard