My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

On September 12, 2006 Pope Benedict XVI addressed academics of the University of Regensburg.  The nature of his speech was an examination of the relationship between faith and reason.  In part of the speech he quoted from a dialogue between a Christian Byzantine Emperor and a Persian scholar.  The quotation taken from Manuel II Paleologus was an examination of compulsion in religion and holy war.  The controversy arose from the misinterpretation of his remarks as an indictment of Islam. 

In fact, the Holy Father’s remarks were meant to be an invitation to European intellectuals to consider the place of religion in the midst of culture.  He was lamenting the divorce of faith and reason in the West.  Reason can be found in its absolute form in science, politics and any similar human activity.

From the moment of his election as Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church on April 19, 2005, Pope Benedict sought to bring about a renewal of faith in Europe.  His selection of the name Benedict was meant to recall the great saint of the Fifth Century whose religious movement set Europe ablaze with the knowledge and love of Christ.  He re-echoed this theme in the first months following his election when on his first trip outside Italy he spoke at World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany.

Europe and the West are in urgent need of participating in this dialogue.  From the time of the French Revolution the Christian faith has continually been besieged by an atheistic rationalism that excludes religion from participating in the discussions of civil society.  This movement with its roots in the Enlightenment impoverishes both religion and reason.   To this end, the Holy See has reiterated its position that the European Union Constitution ought to include a reference to the Christian roots of Europe and the contribution of the faith to the life and culture of the continent.

Reason, the Holy Father reminds us, gives rise to a question which points beyond itself and beyond the possibilities of its methodology.  It is religion that gives meaning to human experience and the deepest longings of the human heart.  Therefore it is left to theological inquiry to reflect on the question, Why I am and Who am I?

At the same time, the Holy Father points out that religion is impoverished when unreasonable.  For to act unreasonably is contrary to the nature of the human person and disfigures all humanity.  Violence is the manifestation of this lack of reason and is contrary to God’s nature.  In keeping with this vision both the late Pope John Paul II and our present Holy Father have expressed their opposition to the war in Iraq and their conviction that conflict can be resolved by means other than war.  Moreover, he reiterated his concern and solicitude for the people of Lebanon, Israel and Palestine during the recent warring in that region.

In these recent days following Pope Benedict’s address at the University of Regensburg, there has been recrimination, controversy and expressions of sorrow.  In Brooklyn and Queens, Christians and Muslims live side by side in peace and harmony.  We can see every day how the lack of violence brings about a reasonable and peaceful co-existence. Our children enjoy the ability to grow up in an atmosphere marked by people of every race, ethnicity and religion who do not necessarily share each other’s beliefs, but do share the need to respect the journey of faith upon which each one is traveling. 

At the same time it would be foolish if we did not take advantage of this time as an opportunity to learn more about one another.  On Thursday, as in past years, I attended “Iftar,” a breaking-of-fast celebration during the holy month of Ramadan.  The Islamic community in our Diocese desires dialogue and friendship among religions.  To dispel misunderstanding we must engage one another in sincere dialogue.

As the spiritual leader of the Catholic community, it is my hope that all Christians of Brooklyn and Queens will express solidarity with our Islamic brothers and sisters.  This requires that we be sensitive to and aware of the particular difficulties, challenges and prejudices that some American Muslims face in our city and country. Sweeping judgments about Muslim life and beliefs is a perfect example of such prejudice.

Some have taken the Holy Father’s remarks as an indictment of Islam.  In contemplating his speech, what we truly can discern is an invitation for Western secularism to engage the great religious traditions in a conversation.  Islam has already made, and can continue to make, great contributions to scientific inquiry and cultural advancement.  We are all keenly aware of how in the past Europe drew upon Islamic contributions in math and science and medicine to spawn its own scientific and architectural advances which enriched the broader society.    Central to what we share in common is a belief in one God.  Though Muslims do not share our belief in the Trinity and in Jesus as the Son of God, they do honor Him as a prophet, and our Blessed Mother is held in a position of high esteem. 

Nevertheless, genuine dialogue between and among the “three children of Abraham” requires honest self-examination and consideration of the world and circumstances in which we all must peacefully co-exist.   We recognize that peace is not simply the absence of conflict but mutual respect and appreciation.   As time progresses and wounds heal we must be committed to a frank exchange of views.  In this way we can learn from one another and ennoble our culture and world.

Last week, as he expressed his deep sorrow for the misunderstanding, Pope Benedict once again reminded us that he “wished to explain that not religion and violence, but religion and reason, go together.”  Then, on Monday of this week, the Holy Father, meeting with Islamic ambassadors and representatives, expressed his deep respect for Muslims, pledged to continue dialogue, and said Islamic and Christian leaders should cooperate to curb violence.

It is my hope that we can all make these thoughts our own.  This is truly an invitation to dialogue as we put out into the deep with our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, who seeks Christian unity and unity among the world’s religions.

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