Jeffrey Miller

A reader sent me the following article.

Prominent Muslim scholars are warning that the “survival of the world” is at stake if Muslims and Christians do not make peace with each other.

In an unprecedented open letter signed by 138 leading Muslim scholars from every sect of Islam, the Muslims plead with Christian leaders “to come together with us on the common essentials of our two religions.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and Pope Benedict are believed to have been sent copies of the document which calls for greater understanding between the two faiths.

The letter also spells out the similarities between passages of the Bible and the Koran.

The Muslim scholars state: “As Muslims, we say to Christians that we are not against them and that Islam is not against them – so long as they do not wage war against Muslims on account of their religion, oppress them and drive them out of their homes.”

The letter itself has much positive to recommend it [PDF]. It is just that my main reaction is – you first. Besides I don’t really see Christianity at being at war with Islam in the first place. Where exactly is the Christian intolerance of Muslims in the world? What Muslims are being sentenced to death for converting from Christianity to Islam. What Christian countries ban passing out of the Koran? If anything Christian countries have gone out of their way be supportive of Muslims in areas where they are not even that supportive of Christian belief.

The Catholic Church is of course open to inter-religious dialogue and will always continue with men of good will. The Holy See has found common cause in the past with Muslims to help defeat anti-life measures in the U.N.

I just think these scholars should first clean up the mess in their own backyards. How about letters to those governments where Christians (and especially converts from Islam) are not free to practice their faith.

I am so glad there is a good explanation for giving Communion to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

"At Most Holy Redeemer Church Oct. 7, I noticed no protest, no demonstration, no disruption of the Sunday Eucharist," said Archbishop Nierderauer. "The congregation was devout and the liturgy was celebrated with reverence. Toward the end of the Communion line two strangely dressed persons came to receive Communion. I did not see any mock religious garb. As I recall, one of them wore a large flowered hat or garland."

Who knew Mr. Magoo became a Bishop?

This picture could be used as a eye test for prospective Bishops.

Doctor: Tell me what you see?

Prospective bishop: I see a flowered hat.

Doctor: Nothing else.

Prospective bishop: Nothing out of the ordinary.

Doctor: Next applicant.

Accepting his explanation the real question is what would he have done if he did know they were part of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence? Though I guess we already know that since he had no problem giving Communion to Nancy Pelosi.

Though I guess the primary question is what does he think the spiritual effects are for a person receiving Communion who have committed objectively grave sins? I know St. Paul’s answer, I just wonder if his would match? The scandal this causes is quite secondary to the concerns for the souls of these people.

Update: American Papist has his own commentary on this that is quite excellent.

Archbishop Niederauer recently said Mass at the infamous Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in San Francisco. There was some chatter about him going to the parish that recently had sex toys bingo, but I thought "Hey a Bishop needs to get out to his parishes."

Though somehow I don’t think it was a good idea to give Communion to homosexual activists dresses up in their "Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence" habits. Bishops throughout the country have refused Communion to activists wearing a rainbow sash – so I would think a nuns outfit with clown like makeup might be a clue that the person rejects the Church’s teaching on homosexual acts – but maybe that is just me.

Pictures at Roman Catholic blog.

The parish site has 144 pictures of the event, but as Thomistic noted none included pictures of Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence or the other oddly dressed characters being present or receiving Communion.

Please remember to pray for Archbishop Niederauer. Surely teaching the truth on homosexual acts in San Francisco is an uphill battle, but to do it you have to keep from going backwards. Exactly how is anybody going to come to learn the truth of Church teaching if we just go along to get along?

There have been more and more stories of Al Gore being urged to run if he wins the Nobel Peace prize. You might be surprised to learn that I really hope that he does win the Nobel Peace prize and I think this will help to end global warming.

He keeps picking up award after award and my hope is that his head will get big enough to slightly block the sun and thus end global warming.