Denver, Aug. 16, 2006 (CNA) - Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput spoke out this week against the promulgation of lies regarding the history of Christian-Muslim relations. In his weekly Denver Catholic Register column, Chaput said that recent fallacious statements by a Denver-area Islamic leader, who reportedly claimed that Muslims have never tried to force conversions to their faith, do nothing to advance the causes of peace or interreligious understanding.
Chaput said that the Muslim-Christian conflict has existed for centuries and is based upon “deep religious differences.” During centuries of fighting, both Christians and Muslims have acted in a sinful manner towards one another, he said, but it’s necessary to be honest about the sins both sides have committed in the past in order to bring about peace in the future.
The archbishop said he felt compelled to address the issue after reading a recent news story which contained claims that, “it was European Christians, never Muslims, who tried to root out those who didn’t agree with them,” a statement which Chaput says is just plain false.
Chaput said that while Christians have certainly committed sins against Muslims in the past, to claim that Muslims have not committed their own sins and acted in violent, militant manners is a lie.
Added emphasis mine. Read the rest at the link. The Catholic Church needs more like this guy - he certainly calls things what they are and isnt afraid of the truth about Muslims or history.
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