Pilgrim of Peace?

Christians are ambivalent; Jews are apathetic; some Muslims are angry, some are attending mass

May 7, 2009

Pope Benedict XVI announced that he is coming as a "pilgrim of peace" to the Holy Land, and indeed, many positive expectations can be attributed to his visit. But lurking among all religious groups in the country is a quiet murmuring about the Pontiff's time here.

Muslims: Benedict offended Muslims worldwide when he quoted in September 2006 a medieval description of the religion as "evil and inhuman" and "spread by sword." In Nazareth, Imam Nazem Abu Salim and his followers strung up a banner across the city's main square warning the Pope: "Those who harm Allah and His Messenger – Allah has cursed them in this world and in the hereafter, and has prepared for them a humiliating punishment." Benedict did not endorse the text, and made it clear that it did not reflect his own views, but Muslims violently protested in cities around the world and even attacked churches in Palestinian areas. The Northern Islamic Movement called on Muslim leaders to boycott interfaith meetings that are to be held during the Pope's visit. 

Nevertheless, many Muslim students who attend Christian schools in Nazareth and Bethlehem will be attending mass with their classmates.

Jews: Benedict offended Jews when he reinstated Holocaust-denying bishop Richard Williamson a couple months ago. Another lingering issue is the proposed beatification (one step below sainthood) of Pius XII, accused of ignoring the Holocaust. Because of that, Benedict will visit Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial but will not go inside the main room which has a plaque critical of the former World War II era pope.

During Operation Cast Lead in January, the Pope appeared unsympathetic to Israel when he sympathized with Gazans. He mentioned during a mass the deaths of Palestinians killed in Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip, which Israelis found unfair since he never mentioned the daily rocket attacks on southern Israel, ongoing for nine years.

Christians: You would think that the Christian community would be most thrilled about this visit, but a general skepticism has pervaded the rankled minority. A Jerusalem resident, who once lived in Bethlehem, said he has no expectations from the Pope. He ticked off on his fingers the reasons: 1. the last time a Pope was here, the economy proceeded to head south after his visit (that could, technically, be attributed to the intifada, not the pope); 2. the Pope is visiting, like his predecessor, a Palestinian refugee camp and will probably make a monetary donation there, like his predecessor did in 2000. There are no Christians in a refugee camp - why give them the money and not the Christians who are also struggling economically? So asked this unhappy Christian who has long since left the West Bank with no plans of returning.

Christians in Gaza are also offended that the Pope is visiting Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem, but not going to Gaza. Admittedly going to Gaza would be a security nightmare. But they are upset nonetheless.