Building Bridges not Walls

(15 Sept 06 - RV) Pope Benedict XVI is back in Rome but some of his considerations presented throughout his trip to Germany are continuing to resound around the world.
Some have been accusing the Pope of having offended Muslims with one of his speeches, which a Vatican statement said last night was certainly not his intention.
In the speech at Regensburg University the Holy Father looked at the philosphical and historical differences between Islam and Christianity, and the relationship between violence and faith.
During his address he quoted from Emperor Manuel Paleologos II of the Bysantine Empire.
The Vatican Statement says it is clear from his words that the Holy Father intends to cultivate a position of respect and dialogue towards other religions and cultures, and one which clearly includes Islam.
Director of the Pontifical Institute for Arab and Islamic studies, Fr Justo Lacunza Balda explains…