

Currently released so far... 12553 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
APECO
ASEC
AMGT
AFIN
APER
ACABQ
AORC
AEMR
AF
AE
AR
AGMT
AU
AY
ABLD
AS
AG
AJ
APCS
AX
AM
AMEX
ATRN
ADM
AMED
AFGHANISTAN
AZ
AL
ASUP
AND
ARM
ASEAN
AFFAIRS
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AODE
APEC
ACBAQ
AFSI
AFSN
AO
ABUD
AC
ADPM
ADCO
ASIG
ARF
AUC
ASEX
AGAO
AA
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
AIT
AADP
ASCH
AORL
AROC
ACOA
ANET
AID
AMCHAMS
AINF
AMG
AFU
AN
ALOW
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
ACS
ADANA
AECL
ACAO
AORG
AGR
BEXP
BR
BM
BG
BL
BA
BTIO
BO
BP
BC
BILAT
BK
BU
BD
BRUSSELS
BB
BF
BBSR
BIDEN
BX
BE
BH
BT
BY
BMGT
BWC
BTIU
BN
CA
CASC
CFED
CO
CH
CS
CU
CE
CI
CM
CMGT
CJAN
COM
CG
CIS
CVIS
CR
CKGR
CHR
CVR
COUNTER
CIA
CLINTON
CY
CPAS
CD
CBW
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CDG
CW
CODEL
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
COE
CN
CARICOM
CB
CONDOLEEZZA
CWC
CACS
CSW
CIDA
CIC
CITT
CONS
CL
CACM
CDB
CDC
CAN
CF
CJUS
CTM
CBSA
CARSON
CT
CLMT
CBC
CEUDA
CV
COPUOS
CTR
CROS
CAPC
CAC
CNARC
CICTE
CBE
ECON
ETRD
EIND
ENRG
EC
ELAB
EAGR
EAID
EFIS
EFIN
EINV
EUN
EG
EPET
EAIR
EU
ELTN
EWWT
ECIN
ERD
EI
ETTC
EUR
EN
EZ
ETC
ENVI
EMIN
ET
ENVR
ER
ECPS
EINT
EAP
ES
ENIV
ECONOMY
EXTERNAL
EINN
EFTA
ECONOMIC
EPA
EXBS
ECA
ELN
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENGR
ECUN
ENGY
ECONOMICS
ELECTIONS
EIAR
EINDETRD
EREL
EUC
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
ENERG
EFIM
EAIDS
EK
ETRDECONWTOCS
EINVETC
ECONCS
EUNCH
ESA
ECINECONCS
EUREM
ESENV
EFINECONCS
ETRC
ENNP
EAIG
EXIM
EEPET
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EUMEM
ETRA
ERNG
ETRO
ETRN
EINVEFIN
ICTY
IN
IS
IR
IC
IZ
IA
INTERPOL
IAEA
IT
IMO
IO
IV
ID
IRAQI
IEA
INRB
IL
IWC
ITU
ICAO
ISRAELI
ICRC
IIP
IMF
IBRD
ISLAMISTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
ILO
IPR
IQ
IRS
IAHRC
IZPREL
IRAJ
IDP
ILC
ITF
ICJ
IF
ITPHUM
INMARSAT
ISRAEL
IACI
IBET
ITRA
INR
IRC
IDA
ICTR
IGAD
INRA
INRO
IEFIN
INTELSAT
INTERNAL
INDO
ITPGOV
KWMN
KSCA
KDEM
KTFN
KIPR
KCRM
KPAL
KE
KPAO
KPKO
KS
KN
KISL
KFRD
KJUS
KIRF
KFLO
KG
KTIP
KTER
KRCM
KTIA
KGHG
KIRC
KU
KPRP
KMCA
KMPI
KSEO
KNNP
KZ
KNEI
KCOR
KOMC
KCFC
KSTC
KMDR
KFLU
KSAF
KSEP
KSAC
KR
KGIC
KSUM
KWBG
KCIP
KDRG
KOLY
KAWC
KCHG
KHDP
KRVC
KBIO
KAWK
KGCC
KHLS
KBCT
KPLS
KREL
KCFE
KMFO
KV
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFTFN
KVPR
KTDB
KSPR
KIDE
KVRP
KTEX
KBTR
KTRD
KICC
KCOM
KO
KLIG
KDEMAF
KMRS
KRAD
KOCI
KSTH
KUNR
KNSD
KGIT
KFSC
KHIV
KPAI
KICA
KACT
KHUM
KREC
KSEC
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCMR
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KNAR
KNUC
KPWR
KENV
KWWMN
KWMNCS
KPRV
KOM
KBTS
KCRS
KNPP
KWNM
KRFD
KVIR
KTBT
KAID
KRIM
KDDG
KRGY
KHSA
KWMM
KMOC
KSCI
KPAK
KX
KPAONZ
KCGC
KID
KPOA
KIFR
KFIN
KWAC
KOMS
KCRCM
KNUP
KMIG
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KTLA
KCSY
KJUST
MOPS
MARR
MASS
MNUC
MX
MCAP
MO
MR
MI
MD
MK
MA
MP
MY
MTCRE
MOPPS
MASC
MIL
MTS
MLS
MILI
MAR
MU
MEPN
MAPP
MTCR
MEPI
MZ
MEETINGS
MG
MW
MAS
MT
MCC
MIK
ML
MARAD
MV
MERCOSUR
MTRE
MPOS
MEPP
MILITARY
MDC
MQADHAFI
MUCN
MRCRE
MAPS
MEDIA
MASSMNUC
MC
NZ
NZUS
NL
NU
NATO
NP
NO
NIPP
NE
NH
NR
NA
NPT
NI
NSF
NG
NSG
NAFTA
NC
NDP
NEW
NRR
NATIONAL
NT
NS
NASA
NAR
NV
NORAD
NSSP
NK
NPA
NGO
NSC
NATOPREL
NW
NPG
NSFO
OPDC
OTRA
OIIP
OREP
OVIP
OSCE
OEXC
OIE
OPRC
OAS
OPIC
OTR
OMIG
OSAC
OFFICIALS
OECD
OSCI
OBSP
OFDA
OPCW
ODIP
OFDP
OES
OPAD
OCII
OHUM
OVP
ON
OIC
OCS
PHUM
PREL
PGOV
PINR
PTER
PARM
PREF
PM
PE
PINS
PK
PHSA
PBTS
PRGOV
PA
PORG
PP
PS
PGOF
PL
PO
PARMS
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PAK
POL
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PREFA
PALESTINIAN
PBIO
PINF
PNG
PMIL
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PAO
POLITICS
PHUMBA
PSEPC
PTBS
PCUL
PROP
PNAT
PNR
POLINT
PGOVE
PROG
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PHUMPREL
PGOC
PY
PCI
PLN
PDOV
PREO
PGIV
PHUH
PAS
PU
POGOV
PF
PINL
POV
PAHO
PRL
PG
PRAM
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLICY
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGGV
PHUS
PSA
PHUMPGOV
PEL
PSI
PAIGH
POSTS
PBT
PTERE
RS
RU
RW
RM
RO
RP
REGION
RSP
RF
RICE
RCMP
RFE
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
ROBERT
RUPREL
RELATIONS
ROOD
REACTION
RSO
REPORT
SENV
SNAR
SCUL
SR
SC
SOCI
SMIG
SI
SP
SU
SO
SW
SY
SA
SZ
SAN
SF
SN
STEINBERG
SG
ST
SIPDIS
SNARIZ
SNARN
SSA
SK
SPCVIS
SOFA
SAARC
SL
SEVN
SARS
SIPRS
SHUM
SANC
SWE
SHI
SYR
SNARCS
SPCE
SYRIA
SEN
SH
SCRS
SENVKGHG
TRGY
TSPL
TPHY
TSPA
TBIO
TI
TW
THPY
TX
TU
TS
TZ
TC
TH
TT
TIP
TO
TERRORISM
TRSY
TINT
TN
TURKEY
TBID
TL
TV
TNGD
TD
TF
TP
TFIN
TAGS
TK
TR
UNSC
UK
UNGA
UN
US
UNHRC
UG
UP
UNMIK
UNHCR
UE
USTR
UNVIE
UAE
UZ
UY
UNO
UNESCO
USEU
USOAS
UV
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNEP
UNIDROIT
UNDESCO
UNDP
UNPUOS
UNC
UNAUS
USUN
UNCHC
UNCHR
UNCND
UNICEF
UNCSD
UNDC
USNC
USPS
USAID
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 06VATICAN199, HOLY SEE: POPE'S REGENSBURG SPEECH IGNITES FIRESTORM, LEADS
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #06VATICAN199.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
06VATICAN199 | 2006-09-18 13:37 | 2010-12-22 21:30 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Vatican |
VZCZCXRO6049
OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHSR
DE RUEHROV #0199/01 2611337
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 181337Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0486
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE
RUEHROV/AMEMBASSY VATICAN 0514
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 VATICAN 000199
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 9/18/2016
TAGS: PREL VT
SUBJECT: HOLY SEE: POPE'S REGENSBURG SPEECH IGNITES FIRESTORM, LEADS
TO PAPAL APOLOGY
VATICAN 00000199 001.2 OF 003
CLASSIFIED BY: Christopher Sandrolini, Charge d'affaires a.i.,
EXEC, State.
REASON: 1.4 (d)
¶1. (C) Summary. Pope Benedict XVI's September 12 speech in
Regensburg caused an unwanted firestorm in the Islamic world
because of the pope's quoting, in passing, an insulting
reference made by a 14th-century Byzantine emperor. The Holy
See, and the pope himself, responded with statements of
clarification and regret in the ensuing days. While the pope
surely did not intend such an outcome, his own approach toward
Islam and toward interreligious dialogue is cooler than that of
his predecessor. Post expects further papal comments on the
matter on September 20, unless the controversy has died down by
then, and will report further in the coming days. End summary.
¶2. (C) During his recent visit to Germany, Pope Benedict XVI
gave a lecture to a gathering of academics on September 12 at
the University of Regensburg. The lecture, entitled "Faith,
Reason and the University: Memories and Reflections", fairly
long at roughly 3800 words, was of a learned sort, and focused
on the relationship of reason and faith in the Western world.
At the outset of his remarks, the pope cited a comment made by a
14th century Byzantine emperor, Manuel II Paleologus, in order
to make the point that proselytizing by violence is unacceptable
to Christians, if not necessarily to Muslims. The actual
quotation included a stinging reference to the prophet Mohammed.
This reference, a very small part of the lecture, subsequently
produced an inflamed reaction in the Muslim world, several
contrite statements from Rome, and considerable commentary. In
order to shed some light on this unexpected controversy, this
cable takes a look at what the pope said, the reactions it
produced, and our interpretation of the situation.
What the Pope Said
------------------------------
¶3. (U) Following a bit of personal reminiscence about his own
university days, the pope embarked on the lecture with the
following passage:
"I was reminded of all this recently, when I read the edition by
Professor Theodore Khoury (Munster) of part of the dialogue
carried on -- perhaps in 1391 in the winter barracks near Ankara
-- by the erudite Byuzantiine emperor Manuel II Paleologus and
an educated Persian on the subject of Christianity and Islam,
and the truth of both. It was probably the emperor himself who
set down this dialogue, during the siege of Constantinople
between 1394 and 1402; and this would explain why his arguments
are given in greater detail than the responses of the learned
Persian. The dialogue ranges widely over the structures of
faith contained in the Bible and in the Qur'an, and deals
especially with the image of God and of man, while necessarily
returning repeatedly to the relationship of the three Laws: the
Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Qur'an. In this
lecture I would like to discuss only one point -- itself rather
marginal to the dialogue itself -- which, in the context of
faith and reason, I found interesting and which can serve as the
starting-point for my reflections on the issue.
"In the seventh conversation edited by Professor Khoury, the
emperor touches on the theme of the jihad (holy war). the
emperor must have known that surah 2, 256 reads: There is no
compulsion in religion. It is one of the suras of the early
period, when Mohammed was still powerless and under threat. But
naturally the emperor also know the instructions, devloped later
and recorded in the Qur'an, concerning holy war. Without
descending to details, such as the difference in treatment
accorded to those who have the "Book" and the "infidels", he
turns to his interlocutor somewhat brusquely with the central
question on the relationship between religion and violence in
general, in these words: "Show me just what Mohammed 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." The emperor goes on to explain in detail the reasons
why spreading the faith through violence is something
unreasonable. Violence is incompatible with the nature of God
and the nature of the soul. God is not pleased by blood, and
not acting reasonably is contrary to God's nature. Faith is
born of the soul, not the body. Whoever would lead someone to
faith needs the ability to speak well and to reason properly,
without violence and threats.... To convince a reasonable soul,
one does not need a strong arm, or weapons of any kind, or any
other means of threatening a person with death...."
¶4. (U) The remainder of the lecture says very little about Islam
VATICAN 00000199 002.2 OF 003
(except for a passage suggesting that Muslims differ from
Christians in their willingness to accept God as absolutely
transcending reason) and focuses instead on ancient Greek
philosophy, Medieval Christian scholarship, and modern European
thinking about the relationship of faith and reason. It
concludes with an echo of the Manuel quotation to affirm that
reason and faith can and must go together.
Reactions
--------------
¶5. (SBU) The lecture received substantial media coverage. By
September 14 criticism had been heard from various Muslim
authorities; this criticism intensified in the following days.
According to press reports, the president of Turkey's Religious
Affairs Directorate, Ali Bardakoglu, said he read the pope's
speech with amazement and horror, and he considered it to be
provocative, hostile, prejudicial, and a barrage of other
uncomplimentary terms. Aiman Mazyek, Secretary-General of the
Central Council of Muslims in Germany, and Dalil Boubakeur, head
of the French Council for the Muslim Religion, were also quick
to express concern. Senior Islamic officials in Kuwait, Egypt,
and Pakistan called for an apology. Other prominent Muslims,
such as Indonesian President Susilo and former Iranian President
Khatami, called for caution and hoped for clarification. Most
recently, al-Qaeda militants in Iraq have reportedly vowed war
on "worshippers of the cross" in reaction to the papal remarks.
In Somalia, gunmen shot an Italian nun, but it is not clear that
the attack was related to the papal statement.
¶6. (U) The Turkish government has so far resisted calls to
postpone or cancel the Pope's planned November visit to
Istanbul. The Moroccan government recalled its ambassador to
the Holy See for consultations.
¶7. (U) The Vatican responded later on September 14 with a
statement from Father Federico Lombardi, the Holy See's
spokesman. Lombardi said it was certainly not the pope's
intention to offend the sensibilities of Muslim believers, and
went on to emphasize that the pope wants to cultivate an
attitude of respect and dialogue toward other religions and
cultures, "obviously also toward Islam".
¶8. (SBU) On September 16, the newly-installed Secretary of
State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, issued an additional
statement. Bertone noted the reaction in Muslim quarters to the
pope's remarks, as well as the clarifications and explanations
already presented by the director of the Holy See press office
(Lombardi). Bertone said the pope:
(a) has a view of Islam which is unequivocally that expressed in
"Nostra Aetate" -- a seminal Vatican II document on interfaith
relations -- i.e., that the Church regards Muslims with esteem
(for their reverence for Jesus and Mary, their monotheism, their
obedience to God, etc.).
(b) strongly favors interreligious and intercultural dialogue
(c) did not mean to imply that he shares the views of Manuel II
which he quoted in his remarks
(d) "sincerely regrets that certain passages of his address
could have sounded offensive to the sensitivities of the Muslim
faithful, and (could have been) interpreted in a manner that in
no way corresponds to his intentions."
(e) hopes Muslims "will be helped" to understand the correct
meaning of his words in the interests of faith, peace, and
justice.
¶9. (SBU) Bertone gave an interview on September 17 in which he
said that papal nuncios had been asked to explain the pope's
remarks in their host countries. Bertone criticized the media
for its role in the crisis, and said the pope's words had been
"seriously manipulated". Cardinal Renato Martino, head of the
Holy See's influential Justice and Peace dicastery, wrote a
front-page article in L'Osservatore Romano on September 17, in
which he blamed the controversy on mass media distortions and
"orchestrated political and ideological exploitation". Martino
said, rather awkwardly, that if some believers from another
religion feel offended, they should know that the pope's desire
is to inspire sentiments of respect and Christian friendship for
all true adherents of other religions. Other prominent
Catholics around the world, such as British Cardinal
Murphy-O'Connor, also came to the pope's defense.
VATICAN 00000199 003.2 OF 003
The Pope's Regrets
----------------------------
¶10. (U) At his weekly Angelus address on Sunday, September 17,
Pope Benedict XVI himself spoke to the issue, albeit briefly.
Speaking in Castelgandolfo, and making his first public remarks
since returning from Germany, he said "I am deeply sorry for the
reactions in some countries to a few passages of my address at
the University of Regensburg, which were considered offensive to
the sensibility of Muslims. These in fact were a quotation from
a medieval text, which do not in any way express my personal
thought. Yesterday the Cardinal Secretary of State published a
statement in this regard in which he explained the true meaning
of my words. I hope that this serves to appease hearts and to
clarify the true meaning of my address, which in its totality
was and is an invitation to frank and sincere dialogue, with
great mutual respect."
Comment
--------------
¶11. (C) Charge d'affaires has appointments pending with Holy See
officials and others, and will report the results of those
conversations as soon as possible. We will also be sending in a
summary of relevant media coverage.
¶12. (C) For the moment, it is clear that Pope Benedict XVI has
created an unwanted controversy with potentially significant,
and harmful, implications. A common view is that the pope, a
studious and retiring academic by nature, simply didn't imagine
that his historical reference could cause such heartburn. While
defenders have blamed the media, or trouble-seeking Muslims,
others have noted that the firestorm could easily have been
foreseen, and forestalled, had the pope circulated his text in
advance to his deputies. (A powerful intellect long accustomed
to writing his own material, Benedict is not in the habit of
having his material vetted.)
¶13. (C) On the other hand, it taxes the imagination in today's
world to suppose that a reference -- by the pope! -- to the
Prophet Mohammed's innovations as "evil and inhuman" would pass
unnoticed. Nor is it likely that the particular quotation is
accidental. Benedict is known for his meticulous ways, and also
for his distinctly cooler (compared to John Paul II) approach
toward Islam and interreligious dialogue. The pope is preparing
for an important visit to Istanbul in November. His invocation
of Manuel, an emperor whose life was defined in combat with the
Ottomans who destroyed his empire a few decades later, must have
been deliberate. So, too, the decision to quote the precise
words of Manuel -- rather than a milder paraphrase -- is
significant in a pope known for his belief that one must neither
compromise with the truth, nor back down from defending the
faith. (As Cardinal Ratzinger, he was also known for his belief
that Turkey should not enter the European Union.) One of the
pope's hardline Italian supporters, journalist Sandro Magister,
argued in a September 18 column that Benedict has deliberately
chosen a path of "less diplomacy and more Gospel", with marked
willingness to say politically incorrect things.
¶14. (C) Our view is that Benedict very likely chose his words
carefully and was not averse to having them interpreted as a
sign of his skepticism about Islam; his earlier actions, such as
the transfer of Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald last spring, made
this attitude clear enough. However, he surely did not intend
for them to lead to violence or a worsening of tensions between
Christians and Muslims. The quick succession of mollifying
remarks by senior Vatican officials, including the pope, is
unusual and suggests a chastened feeling at the top. However,
the actual "apology" is itself phrased rather carefully and may
fall short of putting out the fire. Upon return from a trip,
popes customarily reflect upon the trip at the next public
opportunity; in this case, that means the Wednesday audience on
September 20. We will watch developments closely.
¶15. (C) From our perspective, any USG comments on the matter
should carefully note the Holy See's own statements,
particularly the Pope's own comments confirming that his remarks
have been misunderstood and dissociating himself from Manuel's
words about the prophet. Cardinal Bertone's clarification of
the Holy See's continuing dedication to the principles of Nostra
Aetate (see para 8) and deep respect for Islam should also be
noted.
SANDROLINI