Letters

Islam

John Frey

Contents - Nov 2011 - Buy a copy now Homily: Benedict XVI: From his All Saints Day homily - Pope Benedict XVI Ad Limina: The Australian bishops' 2011 ad limina visit to Rome - Michael Gilchrist News: The Church Around the World Pastoral visit: Benedict XVI calls his visit to Germany 'a great feast of faith' The Lion of Munster: Blessed Cardinal von Galen: a voice against tyranny - Babette Francis WYD Madrid: World Youth Day 2011: Experiencing Christ's presence - Dr Joe Santamaria WYD Madrid: World Youth Day: Becoming sons and daughters of Christ - Sam Rebbechi Society: Finding hope in the midst of secularism - Cardinal Raymond Burke Saints: G.K. Chesterton: Is there a case for his canonisation? - Karl Schmude Letters: Catholic schools - Don Gaffney Letters: First Parents - Fr Brian Harrison OS Letters: World Youth Day Madrid balance sheet - Fr Edward P. Evans Letters: Planetary Spirituality - Grahame Fallon Letters: Climate change - P.C. Wilson Letters: Immoral policies - Anthony English Letters: Vatican II - Kathleen Donelly Letters: Atheism - Fr Bernard McGrath Letters: Same sex marriage - Brian Harris Letters: Islam - John Frey Letters: Catholic healthcare for Cairns - Dr Tim and Anne Coyle Letters: New parish in India - Fr S. John Joseph PP Letters: Advocate needed - Oliver Clark Books: STRAINED RELATIONS: The Challenge of Homosexuality, by Bill Muehlenberg - Dr Joe Santamaria (reviewer) Books: ST THOMAS BECKET, by Michael Green - Michael E. Daniel (reviewer) Books: SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI, by Ivan Gobry - Br Barry Coldrey (reviewer) Donations: Support the Fighting Fund! Books: Order books from www.freedompublishing.com.au Reflection: The Church's architecture: faith translated into vision - Bishop Arthur Serratelli

A recent Parish Bulletin expressing thanks to parishioners who participated with our "Muslim Brothers and Sisters" in breaking the fast of the Holy Month of Ramadan, made me reflect on this expression.

The basis of "brotherhood" is faith. For a Muslim the basis of brotherhood is shared faith (Sura 9:10): "If they repent and take to prayer and render their alms levy, they shall become your brothers in the faith." Jesus himself did not describe everyone as his brothers and sisters, but only "whoever does the will of my Father in heaven" (Matt 12:48-50).

According to Pope Benedict, "the Christian is the brother of his fellow Christian, but not of the non-Christian. His commitment to love is independent of this, however, and is directed toward anyone in need whom he can help". And: "Christian brotherhood is ultimately founded on the faith that gives us our assurance of our real sonship in relation to the heavenly Father and of our brotherhood among one another. The church that fulfills herself in the celebration of the Eucharist is essentially a community of brothers."

The claim that a wonderful rapport has been established between the Muslim community and ourselves, hopefully will not lead to a certain legitimising of religious error. Truth demands that apart from our common values we also have to be mindful of our irrevocable doctrinal differences.

JOHN FREY (DR)
Keiraville, NSW

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 24 No 10 (November 2011), p. 15