Mirror, 18 September 2006
For the first time in 2,000 years the Pope says.. I'm sorry
By Stephen White
THE Pope made history yesterday by apologising for his comments about Islam.
Benedict XVI sparked outrage when he quoted a 14th century emperor who said the
Prophet Mohammed brought the world only "evil and inhuman things".
Italian nun Leonella Sgorbati was shot dead in the Muslim backlash in Somalia and
two Christian churches were torched in the Palestinian West Bank. But the Pope said
yesterday: "I am deeply sorry for the reactions in some countries to a few passages
which were considered offensive to the sensibility of Muslims."
He added: "These words were in fact a quotation from a medieval text which do not in
any way express my personal thought."
Benedict XVI, speaking amid tight security at his summer home in Italy, went on: "I
hope this serves to appease hearts and to clarify the true meaning of my address,
which in its totality was an invitation to frank and sincere dialogue, with mutual
respect." It is thought to be the first time a Pope, believed by Catholics to be infallible,
has said sorry. His apology went out live on Al Jazeera TV.
Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood later called for "good, civilised a! nd co-operative"
relations with Christians.
But Turkey's religious affairs minister Mehmet Aydin said: "You either say I'm sorry in
a proper way or not at all. Are you sorry for saying such a thing or because of its
consequences?" The Pope is due to visit Turkey in November.
Marksmen were stationed on the roof of the Pope's residence and the faithful waiting
outside to hear his address had water bottles and umbrellas confiscated.
The Mujahedeen! Army vowed to attack the Vatican. In a film it showed a crucifix
sliced in two with a sword and footage of Benedict, 79, and the World Trade Center
burning.
A voice said: "We swear to destroy their cross in the heart of Rome and their Pope
will weep as the Vatican is struck." Effigies of the Pontiff have been burned across the
Muslim world. There were protests in Iran where cleric Ahmad Khatami said President
George Bush and Benedict were "united to repeat the Crusades". The Vatican
described the killing of the nun as "a horrible act".
Sister Sgorbati, 66, had lived in Somalia for four years and trained nurses at the
hospital where she ! was shot. She was from the Missionaries of the Consolation in
Nepi, near Rome. Aides of the Pope have now been sent to Islamic countries to
explain the Pontiff's message. His Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone said:
"They will extinguish the flames of misunderstanding."
Some officials said the crisis might not have happened if Benedict had not demoted
the Vatican's expert on Islamic affairs.
Birmingham-born Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, the most senior Brit at the Vatican,
was moved to Cairo in February.
Voice of the Mirror: Page 6
s.white@mirror.co.uk
|
