Of Christian geese and Muslim ganders

The Catholic Church is committed to inter-religious dialogue. It is in favour of religious liberty and freedom of worship. But it expects this position to be reciprocated. Dialogue and respect must be based on "reciprocity" and mutual respect. As is right and fitting, many countries which had imbued the Christian spirit adopt these values of freedom and tolerance. Other countries imbued with the spirit of Islam don't. The position of Christians in several Muslim countries is far from being a happy one.

Recently a convert to Christianity in Afghanistan was in danger of being executed. This was only averted thanks to international pressure. Christians in Pakistan live through very hard times. In the past week Christians there commemorated the suicide of a Catholic bishop in protest against the persecution of Christians.

Several attempts were made in Nigeria and other countries to impose the sharia (Islamic) law also on Christians. These are just three examples of intolerance of the many we can mention.

The Pope addressed this problem, though in a diplomatic way, in a speech he gave recently to the members of the Pontifical Council for Migrants. The focus of this year's three-day plenary session was the challenges and difficulties facing Christians who travel to, or live in, predominantly Islamic countries. Vatican officials suggest that the theme was chosen after consultation with Pope Benedict, who has frequently expressed concern for the status of religious freedom in Muslim countries.

The Pope said that the Church has "a growing awareness that inter-religious dialogue is part of her commitment to serve mankind in the modern world".

In discussions with other faiths, the faithful "are not renouncing" their commitment to spread the Gospel, which is an intrinsic aspect of the Christian identity, the Pope said. Rather, they are hoping to build up "relations of mutual knowledge and respect", which can overcome animosity. This effort is particularly important, he added, in an era of unprecedented migration, when believers of different faiths find themselves living in unfamiliar cultures.

"Christians must open their hearts especially to the poorest and neediest," the Pope said. He observed pointedly: "Obviously, we would hope that Christians who emigrate to countries with Muslim majorities will find a welcome there, and respect for their religious identity."

Last March the Pope called the College of Cardinals together for a day of reflection and asked for the prelates' thoughts, particularly on relations with Islam. Benedict XVI has made specific appeals to Muslim leaders to respect the rights of Christians: in a March plea to Afghanistan's President Abdul Rahman, on behalf of a Christian facing death for "apostasy" from Islam, and in a February meeting with the ambassador from Morocco to the Holy See.

Last August, when he met with Muslim leaders in Cologne during his trip to that city for World Youth Day, the Pope stressed the importance of mutual respect as an essential ingredient of inter-religious dialogue.

What's good for Muslims in "Christian" countries should also be good for Christians in Muslim countries. It is not acceptable to live in a situation where the geese expect as of right what they do not grant to the ganders. On the other hand we note that religious freedom and freedom of worship are not there to be traded.

This is not a barter situation and we do not write what we write in such a spirit. While Muslims expect to be respected and given all freedoms as of right, the same should be expected by Christians... everywhere.