A Muslim-born journalist whose 2008 baptism by Pope Benedict XVI made him Italy’s most famous convert announced Monday he was leaving the Catholic Church over the new pontiff’s overtures to Islam.
Magdi Allam, a former deputy editor of leading daily Corriere della Sera who was born in Egypt, voiced his irritation over what he described as the “papolatry” surrounding the onset of Pope Francis’ pontificate.
“My conversion to catholicism, by the hand of Benedict XVI on the eve of Easter on March 22, 2008, came to an end when his pontificate did,” he wrote in Il Giornale newspaper.
“I am convinced that Islam is an intrinsically violent ideology,” Allam wrote, predicting that “Europe will end up under Islam’s boot”.
Pope Francis, who was elected earlier this month, said he wanted to intensify the dialogue with other religions, including Islam.
“The legitimisation of Islam as a true religion, of Allah as a true God, of Mohammed as a true Prophet, of the Koran as a holy scripture and of mosques as places of worship… have driven me away from the Church,” Allam wrote.
Allam also said he disagreed with the church’s insistence on priestly celibacy, sexual abstinence outside of marriage and other issues.
Allam’s views on Islam and the pope’s decision to conduct the baptism himself had earned the Vatican scathing criticism at the time, forcing the Holy See to distance itself from the journalist.
“Beyond … the phenomenon of extremists and Islamist terrorism at the global level, the root of evil is inherent to a physiologically violent and historically conflictual Islam,” Allam wrote the day after his baptism.
AFP
“My conversion to catholicism, by the hand of Benedict XVI on the eve of Easter on March 22, 2008, came to an end when his pontificate did,” he wrote in Il Giornale newspaper.
“I am convinced that Islam is an intrinsically violent ideology,” Allam wrote, predicting that “Europe will end up under Islam’s boot”.
Pope Francis, who was elected earlier this month, said he wanted to intensify the dialogue with other religions, including Islam.
“The legitimisation of Islam as a true religion, of Allah as a true God, of Mohammed as a true Prophet, of the Koran as a holy scripture and of mosques as places of worship… have driven me away from the Church,” Allam wrote.
Allam also said he disagreed with the church’s insistence on priestly celibacy, sexual abstinence outside of marriage and other issues.
Allam’s views on Islam and the pope’s decision to conduct the baptism himself had earned the Vatican scathing criticism at the time, forcing the Holy See to distance itself from the journalist.
“Beyond … the phenomenon of extremists and Islamist terrorism at the global level, the root of evil is inherent to a physiologically violent and historically conflictual Islam,” Allam wrote the day after his baptism.
AFP
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One major error on the part of most Christians and their leaders is the fear of violence which is a major pillar of Islam. The acceptance by Christian leaders that the Almighty is same as Allah and worship of Allah is acceptable is regrettable. Instead of them to come out and speak the truth and tell the world that Islam is the worship of Idol (The Moon & Sun god)and to point to the historical origin of the worship of Allah, they continue in their cowardice to embrace them all in the name of fear of violence. He who want to save his life will loose it and he who is willing to loose his life for God's sake will save it.
ReplyDeleteMay God forgive U̶̲̅.
Deletemay the Almighty God help us
ReplyDeleteYou shall know the truth and the truth will set free. Welcome back to islam.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 2:13pm, did you understand the article at all? The Pope's tolerance of Islam as a Religion (amongst others) is what is driving him away...
ReplyDeleteSadly if after his conversion he is still uncertain, then he is really confused. Good luck as he seeks to 'find' himself.
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ReplyDeletewell come to world of peace
ReplyDeleteThis guy has not said in going back to Islam. Understand him
ReplyDeleteIt is sooo sad that Christianity a religion Jesus knows nothing about even earns so much recognition. Don't you see the lies aand confusions within the religion that calls Islam violent? Isn't it in the bible the same so called violence they speak about prophet Mohammad; did David not kill Goliath and then cut off his head (Mohammad didn't even cut of the headof ny one he already killed at a battle)? Didn't Moses fight more than one battle? Didn't Jesus ask his followers before the Jews came to sell everything they had in exchange for swords (I'm sure Christains will say its a proverb or swords not to fight. Then what, to kill chicken right?). Islam is a religion of peace and the only religion described by God. Moses worshipped God the way Muslims worship God, Abraham was asked to sacrifice a ram which muslims still do, God commanded Abraham and his people to circumembulate the city of the sinners/idolators seven times before He granted their prayer to capture the land (Muslims do that till today and then pray to God, if you but knew the history of that city Makkah and the Kaaba). Is it not in the bible that earth was described as four corner??? If Jesus knw anything about the bible or Christianity, you will never find such error. In the Quran, earth ws described as spehrical. Now that is a description by someone who knows exactly what he created. There are a lot more signs and evidences, you have to have a free mind in your research and ask your CREATOR to guide you.. Then you'll know the truth!
ReplyDeleteMay God deliver us. The new pope should tread a path of honour. He should learn from his predecessors if not long past but present.
ReplyDeletewelcome to islam. the only truth religious
ReplyDeleteALL COMMENTATORS HERE INCLUDING THE AUTHOR OF THE ARTICLE ARE SPIRITUALLY BLIND. IF YOU THINK AND BELIEVE THAT YOUR RELIGION IS BETTER AND THAT CHRISTIANS, MUSLIMS AND BELIEVERS OF OTHER FAITHS WORSHIP THE SAME GOD, PLEASE PRACTICE YOURS AND LEAVE OTHERS ALONE. JUDGEMENT DAY IS NEAR AND SOON - WHATEVER YOUR RELIGION, GOD WILL JUDGE AND SEPARATE THOSE WHO WORSHIP HIM IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH FROM CHARLATANS WHO ARE DESTINED FOR HELL FIRE. WITH ISLAM, CHRISTIANITY, BUDDHISM, NUDISM,IDOLATRY ETC RULING DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD, DO WW HAVE ANY PEACE?. AS FOR AND MY HOUSE WE SHALL SERVE THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY THROUGH CHRIST JESUS WHO IS THE WAY, TRUTH AND LIFE. PERIOD.
ReplyDeleteGod bless u 4 dis statement
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