POPE BENEDICT XVI
“If I get hold of the pope, I will hang him,” Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, a senior MMA leader, told protesters in Islamabad, who carried placards reading “Terrorist, extremist Pope be hanged!” and “Down with Muslims’ enemies!” —AP News, Sept 22, 2006
“The violent reactions in many parts of the Islamic world justified one of Pope Benedict’s main fears . . . They show the link for many Islamists between religion and violence, their refusal to respond to criticism with rational arguments, but only with demonstrations, threats, and actual violence.” —Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney; www.timesonline.co.uk, September 19, 2006
TODAY’S Sunday Mass readings remarkably call to mind Pope Benedict XVI and the events of this past week: