Rome, Italy, Mar 14, 2006 / 22:00 pm
Cardinal Mario Francesco Pompedda, prefect emeritus of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatory, is demanding a greater reciprocity in granting the same rights and recognitions that Muslims enjoy in Europe to Christians in Muslim countries.
“The same just opportunities that Italy and other European countries have granted to Muslims should be available for Christians in Muslim-dominated countries,” the cardinal said. This would apply also to the ongoing discussion about allowing Islam to be taught in Italy’s public schools.
The cardinal also warned about the use of the term “clash of civilizations,” saying that “Any chance of clashing or collision should be avoided through mature inter-religious dialogue among cultures.”
He added that he opposes the idea of defining the Christian identity as innately opposed to Islam. “This would mean heading down the path towards ‘holy war,’ a term which in itself is insulting.”
Cardinal Pompedda said dialogue with Islam must be based “on three pillars: reciprocity, the renouncing of a ‘clash of civilizations,’ and the need for a faith that is lived and is not reduced to the simple proclamation of values.”