A theologian at the Pope

0
650

Vatican

A theologian at the Pope

Pope meets with President and Francis strives to achieve a more intensive dialogue with Muslims, not only in Iran. The two discuss primarily theological questions.

Nearly nine years it took. As long as there was no meeting on Spitzenebene between the head of the Catholic Church and the Iranian President. So you can the meeting between Pope Francis and Hassan Ruhani, between the head of the Church and the Islamic jurist at the apex of the Gottesstaates, described as historically described. The President of the United States, France or even German politicians welcomed the two pontiffs of these nine years by the dozen. About the talks was confidentiality has been agreed and initially nothing is known.

Two clergy at a table: Francis receives Rohani

This puts the Vatican the importance of dialogue with Tehran, at various levels. Each contact, says Hamburg Ordensmann Richard Nennstiel, help the Vatican to the local Situation to better assess. “Therefore, there is a direct conversation between the Pope and the President important to have a level of trust. The Vatican enjoys in Iran, as he as a factor of compensation applies”, says the Dominican monk to Deutsche Welle. Nennstiel, the Islambeauftragter of the Archbishopric of Hamburg and the Dominican Institute for Christian-Islamic history derives, is one of the connoisseurs of Shia Islam in the Catholic Church in Germany.

Shia and Catholicism

In the years since the existing dialogue between Rome and the Vatican, are primarily concerned with theological questions. Nennstiel refers to one for years existing theological Colloquium between Shiite and Catholic theologians. It thematise on the academic level, the relationship between Faith and reason, but also the issues of violence and religious tolerance. For the concrete situation of the Catholic Christians in Iran, their number in total, around 50,000 Christians in the country to 6,000 and is estimated, said Nennstiel, such issues are “sensitive and should be treated accordingly”. In the Islamic Republic were a number of political and theological directions with each other in conflict.

The editorial recommends

Iran’s President Rohani is at the time in Europe-journey and encourages business investment in his country. But to the judiciary, it is still bad, reported Amnesty International. (26.01.2016)

After the lifting of the sanctions against Iran because of the Atomkonflikts will be the Islamic Republic back into the international economic system is incorporated. President Rohani sealed in Rome of a billion orders. (25.01.2016)

After the nuclear agreement the West has its sanctions against the Islamic Republic lifted. May Iran’s persecuted Christians now on freedom of religion, I hope? Hardly, say experts. (25.01.2016)

It seems Pope Francis in his efforts to dialogue with Islam – for him – typical about this academic conversation quite leave. That the Pope from Argentina, during his visit in Jerusalem in may 2014 from his Rabbi friend from Buenos Aires, Abraham Skorka, will accompany had many on the screen. That there at the wailing wall, also Imam Omar Abboud from Buenos Aires to stand and the three to each other – one of the most emblematic photos of this pontificate – embraced, is far less present.

Ironically, the Pontiff from Latin America’s personal interview with Islam farther than any of his predecessors. The like the expert dialogue in the matter, sometimes lighter, sometimes heavier. But so surprised it not, that in the run-up to the Ruhani meeting, also about a visit of Francis in the Great mosque in Rome this Wednesday there was speculation. There was not a single Pope. And also, the current visit Ruhanis was the Vatican city is extremely important. Actually, the trip should be at the 14. November – one day before was the Terror in Paris and the Europe trip of the Iranian President has been completely cancelled. The second attempt was Rome, with billion-Wirtschaftsverträgen as well as the Pope’s audience, again the start of the journey.

Limits of the Dialogue

The legal Status of the Catholic Church in Iran is still unclear. For more than 60 years of diplomatic relations. Even the Islamic Revolution in 1979, did not cancel. Currently resides here as Ambassador to the Pope, Archbishop Leo Boccardi, Vatican earlier also been in the UN and OSCE represented. And, when he was in Rome, bored, at the table of Francis to sit. Maybe it goes also to the Efforts of the Vatican, in the Syrienkonflikt a mediating role, and humanitarian aid for people in need, regardless of their Religion.

Iran because of human rights Violations in the criticism – including the execution of children

Sure look also Church experts concerned about human rights Violations in Iran. But there seems to be the dialogue to limits to come. In 2008, it came in the aftermath of the meeting between Pope Benedict and President Chatami, in Rome, joint statement, “Faith and reason in Christianity and in Islam.” Among other things, included a condemnation of a violent misuse of faith and urged to the respect of the religions. But that changes not a thing in the stark attitude of Iran to Judaism and to Israel even in the difficult situation of Christians in the theocracy. A further Detail shows the special attention of the Catholic Church for the Islamic world. In 1974, Pope Paul VI, established the Vatican as a “Commission for religious relations with Muslims”, a still existing small Committee of Catholic experts, among others from Pakistan, Nigeria, the UK and Germany. Pure coincidence, but quite fitting that the professionals at this Tuesday in Rome, once again, multi-day consultations completed.