Pope Benedict XVI prayed alongside an Islamic cleric in Turkey's most famous mosque Thursday in a dramatic gesture of outreach to Muslims after outrage from the pontiff's remarks linking violence and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.
The pope bowed his head and closed his eyes for nearly a minute inside the Blue Mosque after Mustafa Cagrici, the head cleric of Istanbul, said: "Now I'm going to pray."
Pope Benedict XVI, right, is greeted by Istanbul's Mufti Mustafa Cagrici outside the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2006. The pope visited the Blue Mosque in Istanbul on the third day of his four-day trip to Turkey. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
This is leadership. God and the Catholics should be proud of the Pope. At great personal risk he goes to Turkey. While standing in the Blue Mosque he says, "Now I'm going to pray." This is the this is the religious leadership the world needs. Leaders that break down man-made barriers to participate in our relationship with our creator.
After all. Where can one pray that the creator is not.
Final note: Don't let small minds cloud this "God's Family" event with "religious barrier" thinking. What if he bowed toward Mecca? In which direction can you pray where God is not?
And finally: Someone has to set an example of how to absorb the "enemy" in love to eventually bring about willing submission. Submission to our common parent . . . God. We need more of this kind of leadership.
And finally finally: Especally Christians should understand the outward submission to another's desire does not alter the purpose and motivation of our heart. When centered on God's will , such acts of submission will ultimately come around to the victory of true love.
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