Hard_Rom
Northumbrian Skald
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2014
- Posts
- 13,623
Not usually a fan of popes. Hardly a liberal democratic system he runs. But he seems intent on putting some real humanity in to it.
Mother Teresa still better be canonized before him. (might have to Google progress on her sainthood)
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/pope-visit-central-africa-bangui-muslims-1.3337988
Pope Francis goes to war-ravaged Central African Republic Sunday, amid killings and violence
Imam to welcome Pope at mosque in Central African Republic capital's segregated Muslim zone
A 300-metre stretch of no-man's-land marks the entrance to PK5, an enclave in Bangui where most of the Muslims who have not been killed or fled Central African Republic's capital are slowly being strangled by a blockade.
Small groups of Christian militia fighters — so-called anti-balaka — armed with daggers and grenades lay in wait by the road, scrutinizing the few passing vehicles to ensure supplies do not get in — and no Muslim gets out.
Pope Francis will land on Sunday in Central African Republic, a nation embroiled for nearly three years in an inter-religious conflict of shocking brutality that has effectively split the former French colony in two. Thousands have been killed and more than one in five have fled internally or sought refuge abroad.
Given the circumstances, Naibi might be expected to denounce the trip by the leader of the Roman Catholic Church as a reckless provocation. Instead, the mosque, which Francis is due to visit on Monday, is getting a fresh coat of green paint.
"He's not here to judge the Central Africans. He's come to contribute, to mobilize people. Personally, I think it's positive, and we will try to benefit from his advice," Naibi said as a burst of gunfire rang out in the distance.
Central Africans on both sides of the religious chasm have rallied behind the papal visit, reducing the risk that his presence could add fuel to the fire of communal tensions. Even Seleka, the mainly Muslim rebel coalition whose brief seizure of power in 2013 helped trigger waves of violence and reprisal killings, has publicly supported the trip.
In a statement before his visit, the pope made his intentions clear.
"I wish with all my heart that my visit can contribute … to dressing the wounds and opening the way to a more serene future for Central African Republic and all its inhabitants," he said.
But parish priest Marc Belikassa, who has worked for years to foster dialogue between Christians and Muslims, was sanguine about the pope's chances of long-term success.
"He'll come, and his message to maintain durable peace and avoid spilling blood will be felt in each of our the hearts. But every Central African man and woman must sit down together to discuss our country's future," he said.
"The pope isn't a magician."
Mother Teresa still better be canonized before him. (might have to Google progress on her sainthood)
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/pope-visit-central-africa-bangui-muslims-1.3337988
Pope Francis goes to war-ravaged Central African Republic Sunday, amid killings and violence
Imam to welcome Pope at mosque in Central African Republic capital's segregated Muslim zone
A 300-metre stretch of no-man's-land marks the entrance to PK5, an enclave in Bangui where most of the Muslims who have not been killed or fled Central African Republic's capital are slowly being strangled by a blockade.
Small groups of Christian militia fighters — so-called anti-balaka — armed with daggers and grenades lay in wait by the road, scrutinizing the few passing vehicles to ensure supplies do not get in — and no Muslim gets out.
Pope Francis will land on Sunday in Central African Republic, a nation embroiled for nearly three years in an inter-religious conflict of shocking brutality that has effectively split the former French colony in two. Thousands have been killed and more than one in five have fled internally or sought refuge abroad.
Given the circumstances, Naibi might be expected to denounce the trip by the leader of the Roman Catholic Church as a reckless provocation. Instead, the mosque, which Francis is due to visit on Monday, is getting a fresh coat of green paint.
"He's not here to judge the Central Africans. He's come to contribute, to mobilize people. Personally, I think it's positive, and we will try to benefit from his advice," Naibi said as a burst of gunfire rang out in the distance.
Central Africans on both sides of the religious chasm have rallied behind the papal visit, reducing the risk that his presence could add fuel to the fire of communal tensions. Even Seleka, the mainly Muslim rebel coalition whose brief seizure of power in 2013 helped trigger waves of violence and reprisal killings, has publicly supported the trip.
In a statement before his visit, the pope made his intentions clear.
"I wish with all my heart that my visit can contribute … to dressing the wounds and opening the way to a more serene future for Central African Republic and all its inhabitants," he said.
But parish priest Marc Belikassa, who has worked for years to foster dialogue between Christians and Muslims, was sanguine about the pope's chances of long-term success.
"He'll come, and his message to maintain durable peace and avoid spilling blood will be felt in each of our the hearts. But every Central African man and woman must sit down together to discuss our country's future," he said.
"The pope isn't a magician."
