Why do world leaders not stand up against the Pope when he makes irresponsible statements?

Question

Pope's have a history of making statements that propagate homophobia, damage world efforts at fighting HIV/AIDS, and, just recently, demonising Islam.

Answer 1

Politicians know they would just make things worse unlike Pope Benedict XVI. Talk about Chutzpah!

Famously, the then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger once referred to Buddhism as a form of masturbation for the mind - a remark still repeated among deeply offended Buddhists more than a decade after he said it. Even his apology to Muslims at the weekend managed to bring Jews into the row.

The Irony and hypocrisy is the Catholic Church was also happily spreading the "true faith" by the sword at the same time this quote was made. And had been doing so for centuries, for example the 1st Crusade earlier in 1096.

Spreading the Faith by the Sword was the philosophy that created the Inquisition in which Muslims and Jews were killed and driven out of Catholic kingdoms in Spain and Portugal after the Christian re-conquests. Do note that Muslims do not have any exclusive copyright over the use of the term "infidel."

Isn't the Pope's quote a case of "the kettle calling the pot black".

Another irony, the empire of Roman Emperor Manuel Palaeologos was fatally weakened not by the Muslims, but two centuries earlier by the Pope and Catholic Church who instigated the 4th Crusade in 1204. But half way to the Holy Land, they had a change of plan, and decided to attack the Eastern Roman Empire, massacre Orthodox Christians with the sword and sack Constantinople instead of putting Muslims and Jews to the sword. This event is one of the three milestones in the demise of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire.

Another point the quote Pope Benedict chose is totally bogus and dubious. Emperor Manuel Palaeologos was fighting for the political survival of his pathetic empire, and was politically motivated in his statement. The "erudite" Emperor Manuel contrived a "debate" to suit his political argument. The learned "prominent" Persian poet and scholar Manuel is meant to have had this "debate" with is totally bogus and does not exist. Historical research knows of no such person. Why is the name of the Persian unknown for such a prominent poet and scholar in an otherwise such well recorded historical "debate"???

I am sure Pope Benedict, a supposedly learned scholar - whose previous job until last year was in charge of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith (the successor body to the Inquisition) when he was then known as Cardinal Ratzinger - knew the quote was from a bogus "debate".

I in no way condone the response of Muslim fanatics and hotheads - burning churches, and murdering Nuns. They just bring shame and discredit on their faith and themselves. Ironically - although it is lost on these fanatic hotheads - through their actions they help to reinforce stereotypes about the very thing they have taken offence at - namely saying that Islam is a violent and intolerant religion.

I understand the quote was taken out of context in Pope Benedict's speech. But never the less, I think it is shocking that a man who is the Spiritual head of a community of over 1 Billion souls, chose this clearly inflammatory passage, when he could have chosen something far more conciliatory, constructive and uncontroversial to make the same point about faith and reason, and the incompatibility of violence and religion without giving any excuse that he had insulted Islam. Something from the Bible for example.

A man of Pope Benedict's experience must have known this quote was inflamatory when he chose to include it, and that one of the consequences would be to fuel a violent Muslim reaction. Any fool could have told him the same. Pope Benedict had the hindsight of the experience of the Danish Cartoon riots. I can only conclude he has been wilfully mischievous.

Pope Benedict has also now insulted the Jews, it has been reported. In another speech shortly after his infamous Regensburg Rally, he said "Christians worshipped the cross because of the folly of the Jews and ignorance of Pagans and Gentiles." In an address of March 16, 2006, Pope Benedict said Jews must Convert to Christianity in order to be Saved.

From The Guardian: "Even worse, in his Auschwitz address, he managed to argue in a long theological exposition that the real victims of the Holocaust were God and Christianity. As one commentator put it, he managed to claim that Jews were "themselves bit players - bystanders at their own extermination. The true victim was a metaphysical one." This theological treatise bears the same characteristics as last week's Regensburg lecture; put at its most charitable, they are too clever by half."

But don't worry Jews can take it. I promise you we will not burn down any churches or murder any nuns.

The Guardian says "In the perceived clash between the West and the Muslim world - the Pope seems to have abdicated his papal role of arbitrator, and taken up arms in a rerun of a medieval fantasy."

"An elderly Catholic nun has already been killed in Somalia, in retaliation for the Pope's remarks; churches have been attacked in the West Bank. How is this papal stupidity going to play out in countries such as Nigeria, where the tensions between Catholics and Muslims frequently flare into riots and death? Or other countries such as Pakistan, where Catholic communities are already beleaguered? Or the Muslim minorities in Catholic countries such as the Philippines - how comfortable do they feel this week?"

"Two lines of thought emerge from this mess. The first is that the Pope's personal authority has been irrevocably damaged; how now could he ever present himself as a figure of global moral authority and a peacemaker after this?"

"The second is a more disturbing possibility: namely, that the Catholic church could be failing - yet again - to deal with the challenge of modernity."

For a Spiritual leader, Pope Benedict appears to have intellectual knowledge without spiritual substance and wisdom. He has been irresponsible and insensitive, and looked foolish especially when people are killed as a result of his thoughtless actions and decisions. Not Infallible to me.

Pope John Paul tried to build bridges between faiths and peoples.

Pope Benedict, however, seems intent on burning them. Hasn't the world got enough hatred and troubles without further inflaming the fires of hate in these violent times.

Why doesn't Pope Benedict speak on something truly important like saving the people of Darfur from Genocide? Or doesn't he care?

Answer 2

I'm so glad you have the common sense to say that. Christian world leader, i.e. bush blair chiraq etc will not say a bad word about the pope because he is their spiritual leader (although I thought the queen of England was blairs spiritual leader but there you go.)

I believe the pope has the important role of building interfaith relations, which Pope John Paul II did exceptionally well. However, Pope Benedict XVI obviously has no intention of making this world a better place. It was reported some time ago that this Pope closed the only interfaith centre in Rome. There was no reason for closing this other than to stifle interfaith relations.

Finlay Christians, wear the sleeve!!!

Answer 3

Intention / motive plays a vital role in deciding a crime. An act without intention resulting in the death of a victim is not treated as accidental death so also an act with an intention to kill should be treated as murder,.In India The punishments for various crimes start at the same time . Thus one who is sentenced to jail for 5 yrs,3yrs, 2yrs, 7 yrs remains in jail only fo 7 yrs minus the holidays. Practically he comes out after 5 years. In other countries he will have to remain in jail for 17 years. This is why criminals are not afraid of committing further crimes because he knows he is not going to be punished for his subsequent crimes. The leaders have their vested intesests in giving such statements. They should never be allowed to give their openion in such matters. They don't represent the society as such

Answer 4

There are a few peope on here who make these nonsense questions to get their ratings up. The question asker is obviously trying to 'curry' favour. It's not even worth going on about what really happened, or the fact that the highly praiseworthy and trustworthy organisation of the true god which calls itself the 'nation' of Islam demonised itself more than any other person could do. Get your house in order! And stop asking nonsense questions to make yourself look considerate... idio

Answer 5

How much credibility do you want to give Muslims when they react to being called violent by threatening violence? The Pope quoted somebody else in a much broader statement. The Muslims pick out this minor part of the speech and start threatening him for quoting somebody from Byzantine times who called them violent.
http://judgeright.blogspot.com

Answer 6

The political ambitions of the Vatican are intrinsically disordered, political leaders are constantly pressured by the Popes henchmen to include the Vatican in decision making...the Pope has his manipulative fingers in every available political pie... covertly arranging special and binding "Concordats" with countries to secure revenue and political influence as it realises it's ambition to gain ever more power and control over peoples lives and to impose Catholic religious ideals on all citizens regardless of belief through legislation...the Catholic church is a Global Corporation rather than a religion and it is totally self-serving, the Pope will tolerate no dissent and it's followers are merely incidental, their welfare is of little concern to the corporation.

With it's outdated doctrine, scientifically, medically and societally unsound...the catholic church is a corrupt, intrinsically homophobic (yes it is) and misogynist ...one could even say fascist institution because it seeks to undermine the human rights of the citizens it holds special prejudice against and upon whom it has declared political and doctrinal war.

Answer 7

There was nothing irresponsible in the Pope's speech. He quoted from a 14th century Emperor to make the point that religion and violence are incompatible. So, he's got nothing to apologise for.
What the mohommedans really want is a full grovelling apology admiting that the only reasonable religion is mohommedanism and he will promise never to say ANYTHING that criticises the religion in any way at all, even if it means diseminating total lies.
The mohommedans are trying to rewrite history to make out that there was never any violence or cruelty in their religion - read the history books BEFORE THEY BURN THEM.
Remember, Hitler did just that in Germany. Anything to prevent the people from realising that tehy'd been conned.
NO. Thje Pope should NOT apologise. In fact, he should insist that the mohommedans learn to tell the truth.

Answer 8

He is by far the most outspoken man put on this planet, Nobodys perfect and we all make mistakes..

Im not agreeing with what he's said but there is so much anger at the moment, it's hardly a wonder that what anybody says is listened to or taken notice of.

Answer 9

IF world leaders "stood up" because of irresponsible statements, would you support the world leaders for standing up against the Islamic extremeist clergy as well??

Answer 10

The world leaders DID play their role admirably well. But for their maturity and wisdom, the matter would not have been closed so ideally well. Kindly read the newspapers a little more thoroughly.

Answer 11

Doh! are you too stupid to understand the content of the Pope's speech? There is nothing irresponsible in it. Besides which, to take offence is to disrespect our culture of free speech, are you a cultural racist? And by the way Homophobia is a word used by homosexual fascists and others to suppress valid debate.