Pope Praises Melkite-Muslim Relations

ICC Note

The Pope appreciated the Melkite Church ’s approach of dialogue with Muslims at the time when Christians in the Middle East are faced with intense persecution.

05/08/2008 Vatican City (Zenit.org)- Benedict XVI is praising the Melkite Catholic Church for their work in establishing good relations with Islam.

The Pope expressed this view today when he received some 300 members of the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchate, headed by Patriarch Gregorios III Laham. The group is on pilgrimage in Rome .

The Holy Father praised “the vitality of the Melkite Church , despite the difficulties of the [ Mideast ] region’s social and political situation.” He said that “on drawing near to the beginning of the year dedicated to St. Paul , I cannot forget that the see of your patriarchate is established in the city of Damascus , on the road to which the Apostle lived the event that transformed his existence and opened the doors of Christianity to all the nations.”

Gospel light

“I also appreciate your good relations with Muslims,” the Pontiff continued, “as well as your efforts to resolve, with a sincere and objective spirit of fraternal dialogue, problems that may arise.”

“In line with the Second Vatican Council,” he added, “the Melkite Church has sincerely sought mutual understanding and the promotion and a shared defense of social justice, moral values, peace and freedom with Muslims to the benefit of all.”

Benedict XVI acknowledged that to achieve its mission “in the troubled and at times dramatic context of the Middle East” the Melkite Church “finds itself faced with situations where politics plays a role that is not indifferent to its life.”