European leaders call on EU to support Pope and freedom of expression
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Brussels, Belgium, Sep 22, 2006 / 12:00 am (CNA).- Two members of the European Parliament are calling on EU member states to declare clear support for Pope Benedict XVI and for freedom of expression, in the wake of violent reactions to the Pope’s lecture at the University of Ratisbona.

One of the fourteen vice presidents of the European Parliament, Mario Mauro of Italy, sent the complete text of the Pope’s lecture to all 732 members of the legislative body in German, English, French and Spanish, with a press release attached.

Mauro said his intention was to prevent “misinterpretation (of the Pope’s words) in the future” and to get “the European Parliament to express its clear position in support of freedom of expression.”

In his press release, Mauro states that “with his discourse, the Pope simply called for dialogue.  Evidently he has been misinterpreted by a part of the Muslim world and also by the media, which has not been capable of understanding the true thinking of the Holy Father.”

Likewise, the European commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security, Franco Frattini, said, “The threat against the Pope is not only a threat against the Vatican, against Italian territory and against Christianity, it is a threat against all humanity.”

During a press conference in the city of Tampere, Frattini explained that the Pope symbolizes not only a religion but also a message of reciprocal tolerance and respect.”  Europe, he said, should be united “in defense of this message of tolerance.”

It is not “acceptable” that the message of the Pope has been “misinterpreted” and has unleashed violent reactions, or that “a majority of Muslims be held hostage by a minority,” he added.

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Subscriber comments:
Published by: Katherine Clyde
Bronx, NY USA 09/27/2006 09:11 AM EST
The Pope has not only been threatened but the Pope is right. This is a statement that affects all of Europe and the West, and the Holy Father's simple, clear statement says what it says and what was meant to be said, and misinterpretation is a serious threat to peace and dialogue. The entire statement should be read in context, the context of workability and a firm statement for freedom. The Pope was well-spoken and articulate about peacceful relations and this should be recognized by the EU.
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Published by: shirley ney
Aurora, Colorado, USA 09/23/2006 03:27 PM EST
I agree that all the violence currently and previously against Christians proves the Pope's point. All Muslins must be challenged to prove they are peacemakers. With all the converts to Islam, none of the media ever ask if the new converts feel free to leave the religion at any time without their lives threatened. The media and the west need to delve into it. Turkey must not be allowed to enter the EU because of its treatment of Catholics and Greek Orthodox church. All Omans must be challenged to take a stand and go on record against violence and assure the freedom of expression. All they do now is spew meaningless rhetoric which says nothing. I believe they fear retaliation.
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Published by: Cindy Omlin
Mead, WA, USA 09/22/2006 04:38 PM EST
Please contact your representatives in Congress and President Bush urging the United States to make a clear statement of support for Pope Benedict and freedom of expression in the wake of violent reactions to the Pope’s lecture at the University of Ratisbona.

European commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security, Franco Frattini, said, “The threat against the Pope is not only a threat against the Vatican, against Italian territory and against Christianity, it is a threat against all humanity.”

Frattini explained that the Pope "symbolizes not only a religion but also a message of reciprocal tolerance and respect.”

Contact information may be obtained at www.congress.org.
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Published by: Marriage Team
Portland, OR, USA 09/22/2006 12:54 PM EST
I am very encouraged by this story. Thank you for reporting it. I think it's disgraceful tht other European leaders have left the Pope out to dry. Let's pray, pray, and pray some more for our fellow Christians, the Pope and our bishops and priests.
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