Pope Articles

"It is true that the Muslim world is not totally mistaken when it reproaches the West of Christian tradition of moral decadence and the manipulation of human life," he said. "This imposes on us a serious examination of conscience."

"The truth of the Christian faith appears to us in all its depth, but we mustn�t forget that, sadly, it has been darkened many times by the concrete behaviour of those who called themselves Christians," he said. "Islam has also had moments of great splendor and decadence in the course of its history. "

Cardinal Ratzinger stressed that it is "important is to go to the roots of the values proclaimed by the different religions". This, he said, is where "a real interreligious dialogue can begin".

It is well past time that rather than pitting believers as against each other we instead declare the enemy to be those trends to decadence from which none of us are immune.

One of the blessings of this age is that by modern communications and by openness of discussion we can all come to know each other better, and find those agreements.  We need not be restrained as much as we were in the past by the desires of human rulers and what they wanted us to know about each other for their exclusive ambitions.  And it is our duty to do so, even when it appears difficult, even futile--something which is clear from the Quran, and which the Bible assumes.  Let us not fritter away this opportunity.

Salaam all, and Mubarak Ramadan.