Vatican City, Mar 26, 2008 / 11:32 am
The official Vatican daily, L’Osservatore Romano, has rejected claims in some media reports that the Holy See has “emphasized” the baptism of Magdi Allam, the Muslim convert and associate director of the Italian daily Corriere Della Sera who entered the Church during the Easter Vigil Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI.
In an article entitled, “Religious freedom and dialogue,” the Vatican newspaper pointed out that it is tradition for the Holy Father to baptize, confirm and give First Communion to seven adult converts from different parts of the world during the Easter Vigil Mass.
“One of those persons was Egyptian-born journalist Magdi Allam,” the article noted, emphasizing that Allam—whose baptismal name is Christian—“freely chose baptism after a long journey of discernment and personal preparation necessary to take this step.”
“This event, which is so unique, solemn and joyful, has not been emphasized, as can be seen by the confidentiality” with which the event was treated, the newspaper stated.