Pope’s Speech and Media – A Reflection
Fr Anthony Charanghat
Mumbai, Sep. 19, 2006 (cbcisite.com)

Recent media reports took a few lines out of context of the Pope Benedict XVI's 8-page lecture on the topic "The Relationship between Reason and Faith" to theology students and distorted its true meaning and intent. The media labeling the event as a veiled attack on Islam was indeed misleading.

The German Pope's September 12 lecture at the University of Regensburg, Germany, was trying to explain the relationship between Reason and Faith. It is typical of Scholastic methodology in discussing such propositions to consider a variety of opinions only to arrive at a deep understanding of the truth which it wishes to establish without affirming or supporting the opinions quoted.

In the format of such Scholastic methodology, it was necessary for the 79-year-old leader of the world's 1.1 billion Catholics to make reference to a quote from a debate between a Christian Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Paleologus and a learned Persian scholar in 1391 on Islam. This was one of the historical references of an opinion that touched upon an issue of his topic. Other opinions too by Islamic and Christian religious scholars like Ibn Hazn, Duns Scouts, Augustine and Thomas Aquinas were also referred to without defending or condemning them.

The media having obtained a copy of the speech, selectively highlighted six lines out of context of an eight-page discourse, unwittingly I presume, making it appear that it was statement made by the Pope on Islam. This is what stirred up the controversy and evoked the anger of the Islamic world.

A philosophic-theological discussion on the topic of Faith and Reason was conducted according to a methodology of academic discourse understood by Catholic theology students. But if this is reported to the general audience who are not initiated into the techniques of such discussions, it is possible that it may be misunderstood and cause offence, as it did to Muslims all over the world. This is the reason the Pope tendered a personal apology, saying that he was deeply sorry for the offence it had caused the Islamic community. The statement, constantly being attributed to him, was not his personal pronouncement but an opinion which he did not support but was necessitated due the nature of the discourse.

Pope Benedict has always worked for the unity of religions and after his election as Pope in April 2005 has reiterated the call for Inter- religious dialogue and recently a Christian- Islamic dialogue. The media labeled the controversial lecture was indeed a well- meaning exercise to bring better understanding between religions by demonstrating the close relationship between faith and reason. Catholics have great respect for the teachings of Islam and have at several occasions underlined the close relationship between Islam and their own religion.

The Catholic world appreciates the well -known definition that Jihad according to Holy Koran essentially means a spiritual struggle or striving. The Holy Koran clearly states that Jihad primarily means a personal jihad – a struggle against self for God. Secondly, it is a verbal jihad – a struggle – a striving against untruth by always speaking words of truth in the name of Allah. Finally, it means -physical jihad -the use of violence in defence of Muslims if they are attacked and cannot relocate themselves to escape persecution. This defensive nature of physical violence is frequently lost among a small percentage that uses aggressive violence in the name of religion.

It is with regard to the wrong conclusion derived from the rich spiritual and defensive concept of Jihad that the Pope says that violence is incompatible with the nature of God and the nature of the rational soul. Moreover, the Pope has appreciated the moral virtues and discipline taught by Islam on various occasions. Claims are being made that the Pontiff did not mention what he appreciated of Islam in this particular discourse. It is not fair to expect the Pope to address all aspects of an opinion where it does not feature as the main topic of a lecture given to a specific group of students and not meant for the public in general.

It is unfortunate that the media- hype has so portrayed the event that it gave scope for imputing motives to the Pope and attaching meanings to his words that did not exist. Pope Benedict was definitely not trying to draw a wedge between communities but striving to unite them by his profound reflections calling for faith and reason to unite so that all religions would lead
to harmony. END

(The writer is the spokesperson of Archdiocese of Bombay and Director, Catholic Communication Centre, Mumbai)