By Nicholas Wansbutter, Esq.
In a 9 June 2008 interview with "Terrasanta.net"[1], Jean-Louis Cardinal Tauran, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, discussed new guidelines on interreligious dialogue that were discussed during his council's plenary meeting last week.
Now, it seems that what he means is that all religions are equal in that they deserve the equal attention of his commission. It's still a far from edifying statement even so. He then goes on to sum up what the Vatican’s current understanding of “interreligious dialogue” is; a definition that I note is much different than what “conservative” apologists who claim nothing has changed since Pope Pius XII’s time would have us believe:
He does not say that the purpose of this dialogue is to bring anyone to Christ. Just to understand one another. He also reiterates Pope Benedict's adherence to a proposition condemned by Bl. Pope Pius IX.[2] Readers should note well that Cardinal Tauran is not some hold-over from the Pope John Paul II era that Pope Benedict has been desirous but unable to remove. Pope Benedict VXI appointed Cardinal Tauran to his current position on June 25, 2007. Previously he had been Archivist and Librarian of the Holy Roman Church.[3]
It’s time to stop making excuses (i.e. “what His Eminence REALLY meant was …”). This is blatant heresy that is being spoken here by Cardinal Tauran, a man hand-picked by Pope Benedict XVI. How can anyone claim that the crisis is not over, or that things have significantly improved since 1988? The Crisis is, if anything, advancing, and this is yet more proof.
And a highly ironic quote at the end of the interview:
Posted on the Feast of St. John of San Facundo, Confessor, a.D. MMVIII
Yes, the people are obsessed by Islam. For example I'm going to India next month and I want to give this message that all religions are equal. Sometimes there are priorities because of particular situations, but we mustn't get the impression there are first class religions and second class religions.
Now, it seems that what he means is that all religions are equal in that they deserve the equal attention of his commission. It's still a far from edifying statement even so. He then goes on to sum up what the Vatican’s current understanding of “interreligious dialogue” is; a definition that I note is much different than what “conservative” apologists who claim nothing has changed since Pope Pius XII’s time would have us believe:
The purpose of interreligious dialogue is to know the other better in order to understand the content of his faith, and of course the Holy Father is insisting on freedom of religion, freedom to have a religion and not to have one, and the freedom to change religion. This is something also stated in international law, and of course for the Muslims, it's not the same.
He does not say that the purpose of this dialogue is to bring anyone to Christ. Just to understand one another. He also reiterates Pope Benedict's adherence to a proposition condemned by Bl. Pope Pius IX.[2] Readers should note well that Cardinal Tauran is not some hold-over from the Pope John Paul II era that Pope Benedict has been desirous but unable to remove. Pope Benedict VXI appointed Cardinal Tauran to his current position on June 25, 2007. Previously he had been Archivist and Librarian of the Holy Roman Church.[3]
It’s time to stop making excuses (i.e. “what His Eminence REALLY meant was …”). This is blatant heresy that is being spoken here by Cardinal Tauran, a man hand-picked by Pope Benedict XVI. How can anyone claim that the crisis is not over, or that things have significantly improved since 1988? The Crisis is, if anything, advancing, and this is yet more proof.
And a highly ironic quote at the end of the interview:
… formation is important because you cannot dialogue with another religion on the basis of ambiguity. If you don't have a clear idea of what and who you believe in and how to orientate your life according to your belief, it doesn't work.
Posted on the Feast of St. John of San Facundo, Confessor, a.D. MMVIII
[1] Pentin, Edward. “Cardinal Tauran: Islam Mustn't Demand All Our Attention”. Terrasanta.net. 10 June 2008. <http://www.theholylandreview.net/holyland/att_det.jsp?wi_number=950&wi_codseq=>
[2]Condemned Proposition #15. Every man is free to embrace and profess that religion which, guided by the light of reason, he shall consider true. -- Allocution "Maxima quidem," June 9, 1862; Damnatio "Multiplices inter," June 10, 1851
[3] Palmo, Rocco. “Tauran Around the City”. Whispers in the Loggia. 25 June 2007. <http://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/2007_06_01_archive.html>
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