Monday, January 07, 2013

Vatican cardinal rues Islamist violence, sharia imposition

In comments made to L’Osservatore Romano, the president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue lamented Islamist violence and the imposition of sharia law on non-Muslims by some governments. 

“Unfortunately, a few deviant minorities that exploit religion to justify the use of violence or seek to impose Islamic law on all by force, are a danger not only to their societies, but also to the whole world, and a hindrance to dialogue between religions,” said Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran. “In this regard, it suffices to remember the fate of several Christian communities in countries such as Pakistan or Nigeria.”

“No one and no cause can justify such excesses,” he added. “It is regrettable that the burden of integralism risks causing the religious and spiritual dimension of Islam to be forgotten.”