Matthew 28:18-20 – “Then Jesus approached and said to them, ‘All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.'”
The Holy Father praised the moderate Islam that is being fostered in Morocco? And yet, converts to Christianity are not recognized and they must often worship in secret. Conversion from Islam to Christianity is illegal. Missionary outreach or evangelism is punishable with three years in prison. Jesus commanded us to be fishers of men… so how can the Pope say that making converts is not our mission? Catholics and other Christians are suffering for the faith… is it all for nothing?
I hear the story is getting a lot of press worldwide, not just among Muslims but among Buddhists and Hindus. The link here is to a Jerusalem newspaper. It has also made big headlines in the Hindu newspapers of India. Evidently this is being thrown into the faces of Christians who have sought to make converts there. There will be a lot of ripples from this.
It may be that I am too thick to understand the Holy Father. Certainly we should strive to live in peace with others. My posture will always be one of respect and obedience… even if I am somewhat befuddled. I may also be somewhat over-sensitive… particularly when it comes to the situation of Christians persecuted for their faith. The first glimmerings of my call to priesthood came with an admiration of those Catholics and clergy who suffered for their faith… oppressed by non-Christian religions and/or by Communism. My thoughts also turn to China where many worry about the underground church and pray that we have not betrayed them.
Filed under: Catechesis, Catholic, Conscience, Discipleship, Ecumenism, Evangelization, Faith, Formation, Islam, Magisterium, Politics, Pope, Pope Francis, Religious Liberty, Salvation |
Blogger Priest 
Thank you ,for bringing awareness Father Joe , this is unfortunately a contemporary trend in Europe , so called the welcome – culture , modern liberal Europe plunges itself deeply into atheism and lechery…it’s not Christian anymore…