generalspeaking

The Pontiff of Peace

His journey to the holy land one as a messenger of peace. He delivers faith, not politics. Are there any human interrelationships not political in nature? Pope Benedict is out to prove his mettle as a intermediary, one who presents the beneficent face of God, compelling all to believe that God is one and all who pray, do so to the same Deity, however challenged and varied the channel. His premise is that his presence and the purity of his vision will hasten the peace process.

As far as Muslims are concerned this pope has much to atone for, in his insufferable insults to Islam and the revered Prophet Muhammad. Words that are spoken in confidence and assumed historical context have wings that flutter far afield, and those he spoke inflamed the world of Islam to a bitter grievance. He can, however, redeem himself, through humbly beseeching forgiveness. Can a Pope humble himself in such a way? Blemishing the dignity of his office?

Far likelier that he do so in a way that will assuage that anger, and in the process, in a warped way of reasoning, further the peace process. He has, after all, already breached the dictates of intelligent caution in reinstating a British bishop who makes light of the Holocaust. So why should he hesitate to abide by a request from the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem? Who, shortly before the late John-Paul II's arrival in 2000, spoke to an Italian newspaper:

"Too many lies about the Holocaust, Wojtyla free us from the Jews. Six million Jews dead? No way, they were much fewer. Let's stop with this fairytale exploited by Israel to capture international solidarity. It is not my fault if Hitler hated Jews; indeed they were hated a little everywhere. Instead, it is necessary to denounce the unjust occupation endured by my people. Tomorrow I will ask John Paul II...to support our cause."

He did not. But Pope Benedict might find it useful. And that may prove problematical, since a letter directed to Pope Benedict by Israel's religious affairs minister has asked him to support another cause: "I would like to point out that Holocaust survivors in Israel and elsewhere sincerely hope that your excellency will clearly condemn the purveyors of Holocaust denial and anti-Semitism, some of whom profess loyalty to your church."

At the same time he might think to address himself to the unfortunate statement issued by Cardinal Renato Martino, during the Operation Cast Lead campaign in Gaza, comparing it to a Nazi camp, which Rabbi Marvin Hier of the Simon Wiesenthal Center said exemplified statements "used against Israel by terrorist organizations and Holocaust deniers". This pope, no John-Paul II, has surrounded himself with minefields, those of his own making and those laid in his path by his trusted followers.

And then there are, in addition, his occasional lapses into another world where no actions have repercussions, no slights are observed, no indignities noted nor offence taken, as when he helpfully lent himself to an Arab Catholic agenda a delegation of which visited the Vatican a month ago, presenting him with a black-and-white checkered keffiyah, a la Arafat, which the Pope obligingly wore for the duration of the meeting.

It's hard being a simple pilgrim and peacemaker committed to one's spiritual journey. The world of politics, religion, geography and entitlements is such an unfriendly place.

Labels: Human Relations, Political Realities, Religion

posted by Pieface @ Sunday, May 10, 2009