Islamists inciting 'anti–Christian' feelings: Vatican

The Vatican has slammed Muslim extremists for inflaming hatred against the Christians and distorting Pope Benedict XVI's remarks on Islam to incite 'anti–Christian' feelings in the world.

An article in the Catholic journal of the Italian Jesuits, Civilta Cattolica, that reflects the Vatican's official view has accused fundamentalist Muslims of inciting "Islamic people against the Pope and against Christians."

The Pope, in a September 12 lecture at Regensburg University, Germany, made a reference to jihad during an address about faith and reason, and how they cannot be separated and are essential for "that genuine dialogue of cultures and religions so urgently needed today."

Citing historic Christian commentary on holy war and forced conversion, the pontiff quoted from a 14th–century Byzantine emperor, Manuel II Paleologos.

"The emperor comes to speak about the issue of jihad, holy war," the Pope said. "He said, I quote, 'Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.'"

Clearly aware of the sensitivity of the issue, Pope Benedict added, "I quote," twice before pronouncing the phrases on Islam and described them as "brusque," while neither explicitly agreeing with nor repudiating them.

"The emperor goes on to explain in detail the reasons why spreading the faith through violence is something unreasonable," the pontiff said.

"Violence is incompatible with the nature of God and the nature of the soul," the Pope said, issuing an open invitation to dialogue among cultures.

The comments soon sparked widespread condemnation from Muslim leaders across the world, amid violent protests reminiscent of those that erupted after a Danish newspaper printed cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed a year ago.

Though the Pope had regretted several times, the angry reaction sparked by his speech about Islam and holy war and said the text did not reflect his personal opinion, yet, he has stopped short of the unequivocal apology demanded by Muslims for the speech.

The article in Civilta Cattolica, the journal of the Italian Jesuits, was one of a recent series of comments by Catholic Church officials or publications defending the Pope against accusations his speech in September was anti–Muslim.

It said the Sept. 12 lecture at Regensburg University in the Pope's native Germany had been used "by fundamentalist groups to incite Islamic people against the Pope and against Christians."

The article, one of a recent series of comments by Catholic Church officials or publications defending the Pope against accusations his speech last month was anti–Muslim, said that Muslim fundamentalists had "linked (the Pope's words) to the presumed western war against Islam" and had gravely harmed Christian–Muslim relations.

The dispute has also strained Vatican ties with Muslims who already knew he has spoken in the past against Turkey's entry into the European Union because of that country's Islamic roots.

Some Islamic scholars, in fact, have accused him of undoing years of bridge–building by his predecessor, Pope John Paul II.

The journal said there was "no doubt" that both Christians and Muslims could suffer from the worsened relations, particularly in places where either group is a minority.

It warned that the "ultimate aim of various fundamental, radical and terrorist groups" was a clash of civilisations.

Articles in Civilta Cattolica are approved in advance by the Vatican's Secretariat of State, the most influential department in the Holy See.

Asked about the article, Iraq's ambassador to the Vatican, Albert Edward Ismail Yelda, said that while he personally accepted the Pope's clarification he expected Islamic fundamentalists to continue their objections.

"His explanation has not been digested well and since fundamentalism and fanaticism are spreading like fire, I think fundamentalists will use the issue to support their view that this is just a continuation of the Crusades," said the Iraqi ambassador, who is a Christian.

Church sources said the Vatican's annual message to the Islamic world to mark the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan due for late October, was being rewritten to address the tensions that arose after the Pope's lecture.

The Vatican has also announced that the Pope's trip to predominantly Muslim Turkey at the end of November, which some Turks want to be called off, would go ahead as planned.