Pope Benedict XVI apologized again Wednesday to Muslims for the comments he made at the University of Regensburg on Sept. 12.
Benedict said he realized his remarks could have been easily misinterpreted, but he did not intend to give a negative view of Islam. He continued by saying he has “deep respect” for Islam.
On his Sept. 12 speech, Benedict cited the Byzantine emperor Manuel II Paleologus, whose remarks were made between 1394 and 1402 A.D. The first remarks pertained to the theme of jihad (holy war).
“‘Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.'”
Benedict continued quoting the emperor by saying: “‘God is not pleased by blood, and not acting reasonably is contrary to God’s nature. Faith is born of the soul, not the body. Whoever would lead someone to faith needs the ability to speak well and to reason properly, without violence and threats. To convince a reasonable soul, one does not need a strong arm, or weapons of any kind, or any other means of threatening a person with death…'”
Benedict originally apologized for the comments on Sunday, saying they did not reflect his own feelings and opinions, and he was “deeply sorry” for the comments.
The comments sparked protests in Muslim countries, some of which included burning effigies of the pope and German flags, and Catholic nun Sister Leonella Sgorbati, 70, was shot and killed by extremists in Mogadishu, Somalia.
In his Wednesday apology, Benedict said: “I hope that in several occasions during the visit … my deep respect for great religions, in particular for Muslims — who worship the one God and with whom we are engaged in defending and promoting together social justice, moral values, peace and freedom for all men — has emerged clearly.”
Benedict said he hoped the comments lead to dialogue among the world’s different religions.
“I trust that after the initial reaction, my words at the university of Regensburg can constitute an impulse and encouragement toward positive, even self-critical dialogue both among religions and between modern reason and Christian faith,” Benedict said to his weekly audience at the Vatican.
Muslim Student Association adviser Rani Sullivan said she accepts Benedict’s apology.
“I do believe the pope was sincere in his apology,” Sullivan said. “I personally feel that it is an indication of his desire of interfaith dialogue.”
Sullivan said that many American Muslims are calling for more protection of those of other faiths in Muslim countries, so they can feel safe in their places of worship.
“Muslim Americans, especially, appreciate the gestures of faith of any religion,” Sullivan added.
Sullivan said she and most other Muslims reject any type of violence committed against anyone of any faith. Many Muslims want to “clearly and emphatically” correct the misconception of spreading the Muslim faith through the “sword,” Sullivan said.
Senior electrical and computer engineering major Jeff Fairley is a part of the Catholic Student Association (C.S.A.) and read the comments Benedict made.
“I see what the Pope was trying to say, and I also see how it might have sounded to Muslims. I think it’s ironic, though, how some Muslims are fighting back to these statements with violence, when the quote was trying to say that violence and religion don’t belong together,” Fairley said.
Music education major and C.S.A. member Wes King said that Benedict’s message was misinterpreted and taken out of context.
“He wasn’t coming out and saying Muslims are evil. He was saying you cannot mix a faith in God with being violent,” King said. “I think he [Benedict] apologized not for what he said but for how people reacted to it, which is good. He’s a public figure trying to lead, if this is what he really believes he shouldn’t back down.”
King said it was ironic that some Muslims used violence to show they were offended by the Pope implying their religion was violent.
“I mean they [Muslims] are trying to say it was wrong for the Pope to suggest their religion is violent by going out and burning churches and shooting a nun.” King added.
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