Vatican and Wahabbis Resume Talks to Open Church in Saudi Arabia......

The last I heard of this the negotiations failed, I'm not sure what concessions the Vatican could offer. The lunatic Wahhabi clerics would go ape-shit if Abdullah allowed a Church to be built there, for that reason alone, this will never happen.....

Negotiations are underway to build the first Catholic church in Saudi Arabia with King Abdullah lending his support for its construction.

Vatican Radio reports the Vatican and the Saudi government are currently in talks to allow the church despite the kingdoms ban on allowing the construction of any non-Muslim place of worship.

Saudi Arabia is the only country on the Arabian Peninsula without a Catholic church despite the 800,000 Catholics - virtually all of who are foreign workers.

While Saudi Arabia does not have formal diplomatic relations with the Holy See, King Abdullah became the first reigning Saudi monarch ever to visit the Vatican last November.

Commenting after his meeting with the Pope Vatican officials confirmed the Pontiff pressed for permission to open a Catholic church in the kingdom.

Rest here>>>

ZIP

H/T:Dave

Comments

[atheling]

Hmmmm... and what happens after this Abdullah dies? The church will close down and be used as a horse stall.

[BT in SA]

May as well just paint a red bulls-eye on the top of it.

[Elric66]

Me personally, I would tell them all mosques will be closed until religion of religion reigns in Saudi. Anything else is appeasement.

[atheling]

That'd be nice, but how would they carry out that threat?

The Pope has no political power. He can't close down any mosques.

[Elric66]

He can in the Vatican territory and Western leaders could issue the same threat in their respective nation. The Pope could also ask the West to do so. Its really time to start treating Muslims in the West like non Muslims in Islamic countries.

[atheling]

There are no mosques in the Vatican "territory".

[Elric66]

Its in Rome not the Vatican you are correct but you didnt respond to the rest of the comment I made.

[atheling]

Elric:

You have a misconception about the Pope's powers. First off, it's not his business to tell another country whether or not they should permit mosque building. Of itself, mosque building is neither moral nor immoral, and the Holy Father's realm is about faith and morals. Indeed, the Holy Father has repeatedly stated that people's religious practices must be given liberty, and for him to tell other countries to prohibit Islam would belie that principle.

Secondly, the Church has meddled in politics in the past, to its detriment and chagrin. I think that over the ages, the Church has learned its lessons regarding that, and they must tread very carefully when touching upon the political processes and laws of other nations.

The prudent step would be to always side with liberty. Therefore, the Holy Father exhorts those countries which oppress religious freedom to permit people to practice religion freely. For him to use repression as clout would undermine his very point, which is that all religious expression should be according to man's free will.

The fact that Islam does not condone or acknowledge free will (and neither does Calvinism, for that matter), is a matter for criticism and censure, assuredly. However, once the door is open for those to leave Islam and perhaps convert to another faith which permits free will, then most sane people will go that route, particularily those most oppressed, namely women. Why do you think Islam is so adamant in that it kills aspostates? They know full well that if given half a chance, a human being will go for freedom.

I have my own doubts about whether or not the Pope's "dialogue" with the Saudis will bear any good fruit. However, I also understand that the Holy Father operates under the belief of miracles, faith and trust in God - much more so than I do - which is my own problem.

[Elric66]

"mosque building is neither moral nor immoral"

Really? I will have to disagree strongly with that one. I, myself think Islam is at war with the non Muslims world and has been for 1400 years. The mosque is the center of Islam so mosque building is a threat. This is why Europe is falling, mosques everywhere.

"Therefore, the Holy Father exhorts those countries which oppress religious freedom to permit people to practice religion freely."

Again, allowing the "religion" that oppress your people to freely exercise their "religion" freely is suicide.

"However, I also understand that the Holy Father operates under the belief of miracles, faith and trust in God"

I believe in that too. I aslo believe that God helps those that help themselves. One reason I believe Israel is in the mess it is in.

[atheling]

Elric:

You don't understand what "moral" means then. For instance, I believe that guns are neither moral nor immoral. The "morality" of a gun lies within its user, not in the machine itself.

I'm not going to argue with you about this. You don't seem to quite grasp what I'm saying, and it serves no purpose and is a waste of my time trying to explain it.

Go and take a class on logic and rhetorical analysis, then come back.

[sheik yer'mami]

Abdullah to Pope:

"If you submit to Islam we'll allow you to build a mosque which may look like a church, but no bells or crosses, or else..."

[Elric66]

A mosque represents Islam which has always been used to oppress and conquer so yes I know what moral is. A gun is an inanimate object, a mosque represents an ideology.

Again you are being an ass. Go take some a class in manners and come back.

[atheling]

Elric, you're the asshole.

And as for a gun being an "inanimate object", what the hell is a mosque? An animate object?

Stop being a stupid fool and grow up.

[Elric66]

Good to see you too Atheling. :-)

[Elric66]

And you said "mosque building" not a mosque in itself. Try and stay on target. I know its hard with your anger but please try. The building of mosques to me isnt neutral, its an evil act. Your gun analogy is pretty poor even for you. Now if you think that building a mosque can be a good thing, Id love to hear you admit it. :-)

[atheling]

Sigh.

No sense arguing with a fool.