On Tuesday, September 12, 2006 during his Apostolic Visit to Bavaria, Pope Benedict XVI travelled to the University of Regensburg where he participated in a meeting with representatives from the world of science. As Fr. Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict held the chair of dogmatics and history of dogma at the University from 1969 to 1971, during which time he was also vice rector of the institution.

In his long address to the assembled academics, the Holy Father reflected upon the relationship between faith and reason.

The full text of the address as it was given the in Regensburg may be found here. (The official version was later published on the Vatican web site)

Within days, however, strong reactions around the world were voiced concerning the following passage in his address.

"..[I]t is still necessary and reasonable to raise the question of God through the use of reason, and to do so in the context of the tradition of the Christian faith: this, within the university as a whole, was accepted without question.

"I was reminded of all this recently, when I read the edition by Professor Theodore Khoury (Münster) of part of the dialogue carried on - perhaps in 1391 in the winter barracks near Ankara - by the erudite Byzantine emperor Manuel II Paleologus and an educated Persian on the subject of Christianity and Islam, and the truth of both. It was presumably the emperor himself who set down this dialogue, during the siege of Constantinople between 1394 and 1402; and this would explain why his arguments are given in greater detail than those of his Persian interlocutor. The dialogue ranges widely over the structures of faith contained in the Bible and in the Qur'an, and deals especially with the image of God and of man, while necessarily returning repeatedly to the relationship between - as they were called - three "Laws" or "rules of life": the Old Testament, the New Testament and the Qur'an. It is not my intention to discuss this question in the present lecture; here I would like to discuss only one point - itself rather marginal to the dialogue as a whole - which, in the context of the issue of "faith and reason", I found interesting and which can serve as the starting-point for my reflections on this issue.

In the seventh conversation (Gk. dialexis = "controversy") edited by Professor Khoury, the emperor touches on the theme of the holy war. The emperor must have known that surah 2, 256 reads: "There is no compulsion in religion". According to some of the experts, this is probably one of the suras of the early period, when Mohammed was still powerless and under threat. But naturally the emperor also knew the instructions, developed later and recorded in the Qur'an, concerning holy war. Without descending to details, such as the difference in treatment accorded to those who have the "Book" and the "infidels", he addresses his interlocutor with a startling brusqueness, a brusqueness that we find unacceptable, on the central question about the relationship between religion and violence in general, saying: "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.”[3] The emperor, after having expressed himself so forcefully, goes on to explain in detail the reasons why spreading the faith through violence is something unreasonable. Violence is incompatible with the nature of God and the nature of the soul. "God", he says, "is not pleased by blood - and not acting reasonably (Gk. syn logo) 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...".

The decisive statement in this argument against violent conversion is this: not to act in accordance with reason is contrary to God's nature. The editor, Theodore Khoury, observes: For the emperor, as a Byzantine shaped by Greek philosophy, this statement is self-evident. But for Muslim teaching, God is absolutely transcendent. His will is not bound up with any of our categories, even that of rationality. Here Khoury quotes a work of the noted French Islamist R. Arnaldez, who points out that Ibn Hazm went so far as to state that God is not bound even by his own word, and that nothing would oblige him to reveal the truth to us. Were it God's will, we would even have to practise idolatry.

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The speech of Benedict XVI at the University of Regensburg on 12 September has caused a degree of consternation. Some Muslim nations have apparently wished to withdraw their ambassadors to the Holy See in protest. They have taken exception to the assertion made by the Byzantine Emperor Michael II Paleologus during the siege of Constantinople (1394 - 1402) - which the Pope quotes - that Muhammad introduced “things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached”.
The context of that quotation must be carefully understood. The Pope had earlier quoted the Holy Qur’an, “There is no compulsion in religion” (Surah 2, 256). He then gives what he considers to be two contrasting points of view: Islam teaches that God transcends reason, while Christianity teaches that God acts reasonably. He makes these points only by way of introduction to his lengthy speech entitled “Faith, Reason and Universality”.
There is nothing new here. The question of God’s freedom is a classical topic in Islam where there are many schools of thought. Christianity too, as the Pope notes in his address, has also entertained a variety of points of view. Benedict XVI is not attacking Islam. Rather, he is defending the reasonableness of Christian faith.

Rev. Dr. John Dupuche, Catholic Interfaith Committee, Beaumaris

Dear Bishop Prowse

We indeed live in stimulating times, times which require the building of understanding and the confirmation of support and friendship. I am prompted to write to you confirming the position of the Islamic Council of Victoria. It is the position of the Islamic Council of Victoria that we consider the Catholic Church to be a close friend to the Islamic community in Victoria, we are all part of God's creation and the human soul is a gift from God which unites us all.

We value the support the Catholic Church has given to the Victorian Muslim community, and there is much we can learn from the history of Catholics in Australia that can assist the Muslim community as it marks out its' space in the multicultural and multifaith community that is Victoria.

I have attached an article from today's Age newspaper, scribbed by Waleed Aly from the ICV. It captures our position in respect of the Pope's remarks.

We wish to convey that remarks by some Muslims overseas and in Australia (as referred to in the article) do not reflect our position. It is encumbent upon Muslim to engage with all people in a way most pleasing to God. To call for violence against Catholics, attack their property and call for the death of the Pope, God forbid, is to totally ignore the teachings of Islam and to totally ignore the beliefs of the followers of Jesus.

If there is anything we can do at a state level to publically demonstrate our support for the Catholic Church please do not hesitate to contact me.

Malcolm Thomas, President, Islamic Council of Victoria

Declaration concerning Pope's Regensburg address (14 September 2006)

VATICAN CITY, SEP 15, 2006 (VIS) - Yesterday evening, Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. released the following declaration to journalists concerning the interpretation of certain passages of the address delivered by the Holy Father at the University of Regensburg on September 12.

"Concerning the reaction of Muslim leaders to certain passages of the Holy Father's address at the University of Regensburg, it should be noted that what the Holy Father has to heart - and which emerges from an attentive reading of the text - is a clear and radical rejection of the religious motivation for violence.

"It was certainly not the intention of the Holy Father to undertake a comprehensive study of the jihad and of Muslim ideas on the subject, still less to offend the sensibilities of Muslim faithful.

"Quite the contrary, what emerges clearly from the Holy Father's discourses is a warning, addressed to Western culture, to avoid 'the contempt for God and the cynicism that considers mockery of the sacred to be an exercise of freedom.' A just consideration of the religious dimension is, in fact, an essential premise for fruitful dialogue with the great cultures and religions of the world. And indeed, in concluding his address in Regensburg, Benedict XVI affirmed how 'the world's profoundly religious cultures see this exclusion of the divine from the universality of reason as an attack on their most profound convictions. A reason which is deaf to the divine and which relegates religion into the realm of subcultures is incapable of entering into the dialogue of cultures.'

"What is clear then, is the Holy Father's desire to cultivate an attitude of respect and dialogue towards other religions and cultures, including, of course, Islam."

The Holy Father's expressions of regret (20th September 2006)

At the Angelus at Castel Gandolfo (17 September 2006) (also in Arabic)

"At this time, I wish also to add that I am deeply sorry for the reactions in some countries to a few passages of my address at the University of Regensburg, which were considered offensive to the sensibility of Muslims. These in fact were a quotation from a medieval text, which do not in any way express my personal thought. Yesterday, the Cardinal Secretary of State published a statement in this regard in which he explained the true meaning of my words. I hope that this serves to appease hearts and to clarify the true meaning of my address, which in its totality was and is an invitation to frank and sincere dialogue, with great mutual respect. This is the meaning of the discourse."

At his regular Wednesday audience held in St. Peter's Square (20 September 2006) (Click here for audio to hear the Pope speaking his regret in English - MP3 0.8 Mb)

"...[I]t was a particularly beautiful experience for me to deliver a conference to a large audience of teachers and students at the University of Regensburg, where I taught as professor for many years.

"With joy, I was able to meet once again the university world that was my spiritual homeland for a long period of my life. As a theme I had chosen the issue of the relationship between faith and reason.

"To introduce my audience to the drama and timeliness of the topic, I cited some words from a 14th-century Christian-Islamic dialogue, with which the Christian interlocutor, the Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Paleologus - in an incomprehensibly brusque way for us - presented to his Islamic interlocutor the problem of relations between religion and violence.

"This citation, unfortunately, lent itself to misinterpretation. For the attentive reader of my text, however, it is clear that in no way did I want to make my own the negative words spoken by the Medieval Emperor in this dialogue, and that their polemical content does not express my personal conviction. My intention was quite different: starting with what Manuel II subsequently said in a positive manner, with very beautiful words, about rationality that must guide us in the transmission of faith, I wanted to explain that it is not religion and violence but rather religion and reason that go together.

"The topic of my lecture - responding to the mission of the University - was therefore the relationship between faith and reason: I wished to invite [people] to the dialogue of the Christian faith with the modern world and to the dialogue of all the cultures and religions.

"I hope that in the various circumstances during my Visit - for example, when in Munich I emphasized how important it is to respect what is sacred to others - that my deep respect for the great religions, and especially for Muslims, who "worship God, who is one" and with whom we are engaged in preserving and promoting together, for the benefit of all men, "peace, liberty, social justice and moral values" (Nostra Aetate, n. 3), appeared quite clear.

"Therefore, I trust that after the immediate reactions, my words at the University of Regensburg will serve as an incentive and an encouragement for a positive, even self-critical dialogue, both between religions and between modern reason and the Christian faith."

Address Of His Holiness Benedict XVI To The Ambassadors Of Countries With A Muslim Majority And To The Representatives Of Muslim Communities In Italy At Castel Gandolfo (25 September, 2006) (also in Arabic)

Dear Cardinal Poupard, Your Excellencies, Dear Muslim Friends,

I am pleased to welcome you to this gathering that I wanted to arrange in order to strengthen the bonds of friendship and solidarity between the Holy See and Muslim communities throughout the world. I thank Cardinal Poupard, President of the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue, for the words that he has just addressed to me, and I thank all of you for responding to my invitation.

The circumstances which have given rise to our gathering are well known. I have already had occasion to dwell upon them in the course of the past week. In this particular context, I should like to reiterate today all the esteem and the profound respect that I have for Muslim believers, calling to mind the words of the Second Vatican Council which for the Catholic Church are the Magna Carta of Muslim-Christian dialogue: "The Church looks upon Muslims with respect. They worship the one God living and subsistent, merciful and almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, who has spoken to humanity and to whose decrees, even the hidden ones, they seek to submit themselves whole-heartedly, just as Abraham, to whom the Islamic faith readily relates itself, submitted to God" (Declaration Nostra Aetate, 3). Placing myself firmly within this perspective, I have had occasion, since the very beginning of my pontificate, to express my wish to continue establishing bridges of friendship with the adherents of all religions, showing particular appreciation for the growth of dialogue between Muslims and Christians (cf. Address to the Delegates of Other Churches and Ecclesial Communities and of Other Religious Traditions, 25 April 2005). As I underlined at Cologne last year, "Inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue between Christians and Muslims cannot be reduced to an optional extra. It is, in fact, a vital necessity, on which in large measure our future depends" (Meeting with Representatives of Some Muslim Communities, Cologne, 20 August 2005). In a world marked by relativism and too often excluding the transcendence and universality of reason, we are in great need of an authentic dialogue between religions and between cultures, capable of assisting us, in a spirit of fruitful co-operation, to overcome all the tensions together. Continuing, then, the work undertaken by my predecessor, Pope John Paul II, I sincerely pray that the relations of trust which have developed between Christians and Muslims over several years, will not only continue, but will develop further in a spirit of sincere and respectful dialogue, based on ever more authentic reciprocal knowledge which, with joy, recognizes the religious values that we have in common and, with loyalty, respects the differences.

Inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue is a necessity for building together this world of peace and fraternity ardently desired by all people of good will. In this area, our contemporaries expect from us an eloquent witness to show all people the value of the religious dimension of life. Likewise, faithful to the teachings of their own religious traditions, Christians and Muslims must learn to work together, as indeed they already do in many common undertakings, in order to guard against all forms of intolerance and to oppose all manifestations of violence; as for us, religious authorities and political leaders, we must guide and encourage them in this direction. Indeed, "although considerable dissensions and enmities between Christians and Muslims may have arisen in the course of the centuries, the Council urges all parties that, forgetting past things, they train themselves towards sincere mutual understanding and together maintain and promote social justice and moral values as well as peace and freedom for all people" (Declaration, Nostra Aetate, 3). The lessons of the past must therefore help us to seek paths of reconciliation, in order to live with respect for the identity and freedom of each individual, with a view to fruitful co-operation in the service of all humanity. As Pope John Paul II said in his memorable speech to young people at Casablanca in Morocco, "Respect and dialogue require reciprocity in all spheres, especially in that which concerns basic freedoms, more particularly religious freedom. They favour peace and agreement between peoples" (no. 5).

Dear friends, I am profoundly convinced that in the current world situation it is imperative that Christians and Muslims engage with one another in order to address the numerous challenges that present themselves to humanity, especially those concerning the defence and promotion of the dignity of the human person and of the rights ensuing from that dignity. When threats mount up against people and against peace, by recognizing the central character of the human person and by working with perseverance to see that human life is always respected, Christians and Muslims manifest their obedience to the Creator, who wishes all people to live in the dignity that he has bestowed upon them.

Dear friends, I pray with my whole heart that the merciful God will guide our steps along the paths of an ever more authentic mutual understanding. At this time when for Muslims the spiritual journey of the month of Ramadan is beginning, I address to all of them my cordial good wishes, praying that the Almighty may grant them serene and peaceful lives. May the God of peace fill you with the abundance of his Blessings, together with the communities that you represent!

Published version of the Regensburg lecture with clarifying footnotes (Vatican web site)

In footnote #3, the Holy Father states:

"In the Muslim world, this quotation has unfortunately been taken as an expression of my personal position, thus arousing understandable indignation. I hope that the reader of my text can see immediately that this sentence does not express my personal view of the Qur’an, for which I have the respect due to the holy book of a great religion. In quoting the text of the Emperor Manuel II, I intended solely to draw out the essential relationship between faith and reason. On this point I am in agreement with Manuel II, but without endorsing his polemic."

For commentary on the changes in the published text, see Sandro Magister.

Cardinal Thanks Muslims Who Accepted Clarification

ROME, SEPT. 19, 2006 (Zenit.org).- The president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue thanked Muslims who have accepted Benedict XVI's clarification of his address at the University of Regensburg.
Cardinal Paul Poupard's gratitude resonated in the Campidoglio, Rome's town hall, during today's ceremony to launch an interreligious journal entitled Know One Another to Live Together.
"In this very difficult moment," the cardinal said, "we cannot fail to remember the invitation to dialogue launched by the Pope as a vital need on which our future depends. In these headquarters I thank all those who have received positively the final words of the Pope in Sunday's Angelus and we reaffirm our mutual respect."
The meeting ended with a handshake between the cardinal and Sami Salem, the imam of Rome's mosque, and Riccardo Di Segni, chief rabbi of Rome.

At U.N. Council, Prelate Explains Papal Address: Says Speech Must Be Read in Its Totality

GENEVA, SEPT. 19, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI's comments at the University of Regensburg were intended to confirm the rejection of violence in the name of God, a papal representative told the U.N. Human Rights Council.
Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, the Holy See's permanent observer to the U.N. office in Geneva, dedicated the whole of his intervention today to the papal address of Sept. 12 at the University of Regensburg, and expressed his doubts about some disproportionate reactions.
The papal address must be "framed in an appropriate perspective, in a spirit of peaceful and constructive dialogue," said the prelate as reported by Vatican Radio's news service. He said that Benedict XVI, "acknowledging the positive aspects of modernity," wishes "to enlarge the horizon of reason so that it will include the dimension of religion and, from here, begin a universal dialogue based on reason."
In this way, added Archbishop Tomasi, it is possible to defend the humanistic value of religious cultures, including Islam.
In regard to the Pope's quotation taken from a medieval Byzantine emperor, he confirmed that the Holy Father only wished to underline that "violence is always unreasonable" and "incompatible with God's nature." And this "is valid for all believers, including Christians and Muslims," Archbishop Tomasi stated. In fact, the Bishop of Rome confirmed personally on Sunday that the quotation about Islam "in no way expresses his personal thoughts." That is why, recommended Archbishop Tomasi, the Pope's address "must be read in its totality."
It is amazing, the archbishop noted, "that the demonstrations began even before the address was translated into a language understood by the people who went out to demonstrate." These demonstrations, he said, were based "only on misleading headlines in the media," which must "assume its responsibility." The path that must be undertaken, concluded the archbishop, calls for "greater knowledge of other creeds and cultures" and he appealed for "genuine dialogue and a future of peace."

Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor's Statement on Islam: "A Radical Rejection of Any Religious Motivation for Violence"

LONDON, SEPT. 17, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Here is the statement that Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, archbishop of Westminster, has asked to be read at all Masses in his diocese Sept. 16-17.

"Benedict XVI, in a lecture widely reported, was essentially appealing for a dialogue of cultures based on faith and reason. It is quite clear to me that Benedict XVI has no intention of offending the sensibilities of our Muslim brothers and sisters. The Holy Father himself has expressed his sorrow if any passage in his speech sounded offensive to Muslim believers. What clearly emerges from his lecture is a radical rejection of any religious motivation for violence.
"For our part we will continue to develop good relations with the Muslim community in our country based on mutual respect and a common desire for justice and peace in our world. I myself will be standing alongside Muslim and Jewish leaders outside Downing Street this Sunday in a common witness to urge governments to do everything in their power to avert further death and destruction in Darfur in the Sudan . Please remember this intention in your prayers. Also pray for our fruitful interreligious dialogue and cooperation in the future."

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster

"Open letter to Pope Benedict XVI" (PDF) (12 October 2006) by 38 leading Muslim scholars and leaders around the world (published in Islamica Magazine)

"Subtle scholar, but what an inept politician", by Islamic Council of Victoria spokesman, Waleed Aly, published in "The Age" (18 September, 2006)

"Two Muslim Scholars Comment on the Papal Lecture in Regensburg", Khaled Fouad Allam and Aref Ali Nayed, published on Sandro Magister's website "www.chiesa" (Aref Ali Nayed's full article) . See also the continued dialogue with Catholic Scholar Allesandro Martinetti.

More responses listed on Amy Wellborn's blogsite

"On Pope Benedict XVI’s Address on Faith and Reason" By Fr. Patrick J. McInerney

The Religion Report, Stephen Crittenden interviews Fr Joseph Fessio, SJ

"One polemic too far", By Nahum Ayliffe, on Online Opinion web site (20 September 2006)

"If you can't stand the missionary heat, you should get out of Abraham's spiritual kitchen", by Irfan Yusuf, on Online Opinion web site (21 September 2006)

Statement by Cardinal George Pell, Media release (18 September 2006 )

"Pope Benedict XV1 and the Muslim Controversy: A Statement to SBS Radio (Arabic Program)", ", Press Release from Bishop Issam John Darwish, BSO, DD, Eparch of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church in Australia (20 September 2006)

"Talk while we can: the key to world peace is open dialogue between the West and Islam", Cardinal George Pell in "The Australian" (19 September 2006)

"Papal Free Speech" By Irfan Yusuf, (19 September, 2006)

"The Regensburg address: reason amid certainty", by Michael Walsh - posted on Online Opinion website (10 October 2006)

"A Challenge, not a Crusade" in the New York Times (19 September 2006)

"Fall out from Benedict's comments on Islam" (22 September 2006)

Pope Benedict's damage control (29 September 2006)

"Cardinal Avery Dulles on Islam" (6 October 2006)

Benedict’s gamble with Islam (13 October 2006)

"Missionary expert calls reaction to pope speech 'manufactured'" (11 October 2006)

"Jewish leader sees 'new realism' in Vatican on Islam" (13 October 2006)

"Full text of Italian senate resolution on Benedict and Islam" (14 October 2006)

"Archbishop Foley on the lessons of Regensburg", (17 October 2006)

"In Regensburg's wake, is anyone worried about Christian outrage?" (25 October, 2006)

"Who will say no to Benedict XVI?" (27 October, 2006)

"Reciprocity: Not just for Muslims anymore" (28 October, 2006)

"Benedict XVI and the redemption of Jihad" (30 October, 2006)

Christianity Today web site has a page which has collected and collated both the news and commentary from the controversy

"The Pope and Islam", by Martin E. Marty, posted on the John Mark Ministries website (18 September 2006)

"Violent Islam, cowardly Europe: from the cartoons to Regensburg", by Samir Khalil Samir, SJ published on AsiaNews web site.

"The Pope's remarks were dangerous...", by Karen Armstrong, published in "The Guardian", posted on the John Mark Ministries website (18 September 2006)

Enough Apologies, By Anne Applebaum, in the Washington Post (19 September 19, 2006)

Jihad, the Lord's Supper, and eternal life, By Spengler in the Asia Times (19 September 2006)

"Benedict XVI and Islam", John L. Esposito, in Islamica Magazine (26 September 2006)

Intimidating the West, from Rushdie to Benedict, by Daniel Pipes in the New York Sun (26 September 2006)

"Not what it was, but what it does", By Spengler in the Asia Times (3 October 2006)

Commentary on "First Things" Website (Miller 18 September, Wilken 18 September, Neuhaus 18 September, Anderson 20 September, Neuhaus 22 September, Neuhaus 29 September, Neuhaus 13 October, Rose 13 October)

"The Regensburg Effect: The Open Letter from 38 Muslims to the Pope", by Sandro Magister on www.chiesa (19 October, 2006)

More dialogue between Allesandro Martinetti and Aref Ali Nayed on Sandro Magister's website www.chiesa (30 October, 2006)

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