scholarly journals POPE BENEDICT XVI AND THE REGENSBURG LECTURE: THE REPRESENTATION OF ISLAM AND THE “CLASH OF CIVILIZATIONS” IN THE ITALIAN MEDIA

Author(s):  
Martina Ambrosini

As those of other Western countries, Italian media often employ the term “clash of civilisation” [conflitto di civiltà] to refer to the relationship between “Islam” and the “West”. The Muslim world is simplistically described, and perceived, as a monolithic reality. Its representation by media ranges from that of an irrational to that of an intolerant religion. The expression “clash of civilization” was especially used in September 2006, after the Pope’s lectio magistralis at Regensburg University caused vigorous protests to take place in the Muslim world. Benedict XVI seemed to present the Christian God as the only rational divinity, and Islam as an irrational religion. After international Muslim communities asked for an official apology, the Pope held a meeting with the ambassadors from Islamic States to the Holy See, and the representatives of the Italian Muslim communities, to explain his words. This paper analyzes the way in which this event was presented by the Italian media – including right-wing, mainstream and Catholic media - with the aim of understanding the official reaction of the Vatican (as reported by the Osservatore Romano), the Italian Catholic Church (as reported by Avvenire), and the Italian public opinion

2010 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 202-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Hill

Questions have arisen as to the manner of the publication on 9 November 2009 of Anglicanorum coetibus, the Apostolic Constitution Providing for Personal Ordinariates for Anglicans Entering into Full Communion with the Catholic Church. What is clear is that the views of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, under Cardinal Walter Kasper, were given less weight than ought to be expected and that both the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Archbishop of Westminster were informed at only a late stage. More assuring for the long term, Cardinal Kasper has stated that this provision is not a new form of ecumenism. Significantly, the Vatican statement following the meeting between the Archbishop of Canterbury and Pope Benedict XVI in Rome on 21 November reiterated ‘the shared will to continue and consolidate’ the relationship between the Roman Catholic Church and the Churches of the Anglican Communion and noted approvingly that the details of the third phase of ARCIC would be discussed at informal talks with Anglican representatives in the days following the Archbishop's visit to the Pope. Whatever else the Ordinariate may be, it is not a substitute for that ‘serious dialogue’ established by Archbishop Michael Ramsey and Pope Paul VI which has as its continued goal, despite obstacles ancient and modern, the restoration of ‘complete communion of faith and sacramental life’ between us.


Author(s):  
Ivan Danyliuk

The article analyzes the diplomatic activity of the Catholic Church on the internationalarena in the views of Pope Benedict XVI. The article briefly describes the activities of the Catholic Church and the Holy See in the international arena. An analysis of the interconnection between the Catholic Church and the Holy See is made, which is conditioned by the factual merger of the legal order of these institutions. The mission of the Church in the international activities is analyzed. The main focus of the article is made on the views of Pope Benedict XVI on the international activities of the Catholic Church and the Holy See. The article considers the main ideas of the Pope regarding international activities of the Catholic Church and the Holy See, as well as the proposals of Benedict XVI to the international community. Benedict XVI’s critics of the United Nations structures were analyzed, as well as his proposals regarding United Nations reforms and the formation of «true world political authority». Also, the article considered issues that were actualized by Pope Benedict XVI on the international scene, namely: the protection of human rights and freedoms, the protection of religious freedom, responsibility for protection, the issue of peace and refugees. Keywords: Catholic Church, Holy See, Vatican, diplomacy, international relations


BMJ ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 337 (dec17 2) ◽  
pp. a2768-a2768 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. C Payne ◽  
R. E Payne ◽  
D. M Farewell

Politics ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 169-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Christopher Paskewich

Joseph Ratzinger – now Pope Benedict XVI – has a rich body of political writings that has gone largely unnoticed by political scientists. A renowned theologian, even outside the Catholic Church, he has sensitively explored the impact of secularism and religion on liberal democracy. In public and in print, he even debated the philosopher Jürgen Habermas on these topics. This article explores his novel contribution to the study of the liberal state: a secularised, religious foundation for the state will balance autonomy for the citizens with a needed moral orientation for the political realm.


2008 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Mavelli

AbstractTaking the cue from the controversial speech of Pope Benedict XVI at the University of Regensburg in 2006, this paper explores the connection between the apparently divergent positions taken by the Catholic Church and the European secular establishment on the question of European identity and Islam. The argument is advanced that the proceduralism of the European secular establishment contributes to breed its nemesis, a conservative politicised church, but also converges with it in identifying Islam as 'the Other.' It is thus asked whether a critical valorisation of Europe's emotional attachments may not actually strengthen its capacity to embrace the 'difference' represented by Islam.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 95-100
Author(s):  
Reyber Antonio Parra Contreras

The text analyzes the relationship between Science and Faith in the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. The analysis is based on the position of the Vatican Councils I and II about the importance of Faith and Reason for man, in his search for truth; simultaneously, the orientations of popes Leo XIII and John Paul II were taken into account, in their Encyclicals Aeterni Patris and Fides et Ratio, respectively; some speeches by Popes Paul VI, Benedict XVI and Francis before the Pontifical Academy of Sciences were also analyzed. The Church has sought - from the First Vatican Council to the present - to bring, harmonize and complement the relationship between Faith and Reason; its interest is not limited to promoting scientific research; it also aspires that knowledge be ordered to the welfare of the human being, and the horizon of faith is recognized in the search for truth.


Author(s):  
Ivan Danyliuk

In the article are considered the role of the Holy See and the Catholic Church in the de-isolation of Cuba in the international community and the promotion of the restoration of relations with the world community. The article analyzes the change in the international situation that has forced the Cuban government to dialogue with the Catholic Church, as well as the strengthening of the position of the Catholic Church on the Cuban island. The resumption of relations between Cuba and the Holy See was mutually beneficial and necessary for both sides. The Cuban government needed a new ally to get out of isolation. For the Vatican it was necessary to legalize the activities of the Catholic Church on the Cuban island. It is noted that three popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis played a part in the withdrawal from international isolation. The visit of Pope John Paul II to Cuba attracted attention to Cuba and became a step that began the process of legalizing the Catholic Church on the island and de-isolating Cuba. Benedict XVI’s visit came at a time when the leadership changed, when Cuba was governed by Raul Castro, who conducted a series of reforms. And of course, Pope Francis played a key role in the process of restoring relations with the United States and the de-isolation of Cuba in the international arena. Cuba has undoubtedly benefited from the active interventions of Vatican diplomacy and the Holy See, which has been distinguished how in Cuba’s international statuses and so in Cuba’s economic, tourism and information areas. However, the Cuban breakthrough was also an achievement for the Holy See’s peacekeeping diplomacy on international arena. For a long time, Vatican diplomacy has once again received vocal recognition on the international stage. The Cuban breakthrough testified that even today in the XXI-st century, the «soft power» of the Vatican diplomacy See and the Pope of the Catholic Church are able to engage the conflicting parties in dialogue, to promote mutual understanding, tolerance, peaceful coexistence, international cooperation and security.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-86
Author(s):  
Dominika Tronina

AbstractMuch has been written about the increasing influence of the Catholic Church in post-socialist Poland and its role in shaping the Polish national identity. As a result, the ways in which many Polish radical right groups have built their ideologies on Catholicism has also been studied. However, despite evidence of personal contact between clergymen and radical right figures over the past few decades, little is known about the intensity of these relationships and the advantages that right-wing groups might obtain from association with churches. This study aims to contribute to filling this knowledge gap by examining the relationship between churches and clergymen with the radical right in Poland by performing a case study of the group Młodzież Wszechpolska (MW, All-Polish Youth). By drawing on Social movement theory and borrowing from methods such as social network and protest event analysis, the paper uses joint events as an indicator of links and analyzes Facebook announcements posted by MW. The detected events (N = 170) primarily centered around cultural or historical issues and indicated that MW benefited from material resources and personal relationships facilitated by churches. Collaboration manifested not only as religious action but also in the involvement of clergymen as discussion participants at public events and churches as venues where MW could hold meetings. Therefore, churches can be used as a base for spreading ideology and approaching potential supporters. In addition, the presence of ecclesiastical actors can function as a legitimizing factor for increasing acceptance of MW and, ultimately, deradicalizing the group’s image.


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