The God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob ...

I realize that most people here do not consider themselves to be people of faith, but I cannot let go of something I heard this morning. So, please bear with me or, if you prefer, just skip this one...

Those of us who do follow the Abrahamic traditions share much. We share a faith in the one true God, the Creator of all that is seen and unseen. We believe He has revealed His will to us through the Prophets. We have much in common. More, I believe, than our differences.

The leader of my Church, Pope Leo, recently visited the Blue Mosque (the Sultan Ahmed Mosque) in Istanbul. I have also been there. It is beautiful. It is spiritual. It is transcendent. And, while there, I prayed. Pope Leo's predecessor, Pope Francis, also prayed when visiting the Blue Mosque. Pope Leo chose not to pray while there or with the Iman's at all. As a Roman Catholic, I am disappointed.

With all that is happening in the world today, he chose to focus in that moment on differences rather than similarities.

I don't want to be too critical of Pope Leo. He is new and I don't really know much about him. But in this act, to pray or not to pray in a "different" house of God, I think we can see and draw lesson. For me, I will always choose to strive for unity and understanding, not divisiveness.

✝☦☪✡

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

SchoolBelle · 61-69, F

Well, no surprise that this paean to unity should stir up such division!

I agree with you that it is a shame if The Holy Father made a deliberate policy-based decision not to pray in the Blue Mosque. I have seen no explanation for this so I talk from ignorance.

He has seemed to be a holy man. I do wonder if he prayed quietly, within himself. Is he concerned that a public expression of unity (or, at least, some commonality) with Islam might alienate the growing right wing Catholic "ultras" in the US. The Church does seem to be attracting some very unChristian recruits.

Even Pontiffs must be wary of splitting their constituency.

And His Holiness did recently pray with that heathen descendant of Henry VIII, who calls himself my King!

sarabee1995 · 31-35, F

@SchoolBelle Yes, he does seem to be a holy man, but after the courage shown repeatedly by Francis, I have come now to expect more than mere holiness from my spiritual leaders.

SchoolBelle · 61-69, F

@sarabee1995 Yes, exactly. Pope Francis was exceptional, though I fear his legacy is less than we might have hoped. The conservative weight of the Vatican is difficult to shift.

sarabee1995 · 31-35, F

@SchoolBelle Difficult is not impossible. If a river can cut the Grand Canyon, the the Catholic Church can open and modernize as Francis envisioned.

SchoolBelle · 61-69, F

@sarabee1995 I hope and pray you are correct - and in less time than it took to cut the Grand Canyon.