Buckdog

I have been critical of Pope Benedict in the past where I felt it was warranted - so to be consistent, I should acknowledge actions that he makes which I believe are positive.

The Vatican is reporting that Pope Benedict XVI plans to restore a Vatican office that specializes in relations with Muslims a year after he was criticized for disbanding it.

Church relations with Muslims were badly strained after a speech by Benedict in Germany last September that made a link betweem Islam and violence. In the aftermath, Benedict said he regretted that Muslims were offended by his remarks and made a special trip to Turkey where he was the first Roman Catholic Pope to pray in a Mosque.

Here is the official teaching on Islam and Muslims in Catholic Theology:

841: The Church's relationship with the Muslims.
"The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the One, Merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day."
CATECHISM OF THE
CATHOLIC CHURCH
APOSTOLIC CONSTITUTION
FIDEI DEPOSITUM ON THE PUBLICATION OF THE
CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Associated Press

See Section 841 - Catechism of the Catholic Church


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