I am always amazed by the fact that people who convert to a religion other than Christianity are found to be interesting folks who are discovering themselves. This Easter when the Pope Baptized the journalist Magdi Allam, he is instigating a freaking crusade, I mean come on that’s ridiculous. Anyway this is a pretty good article written by Samir Khalil Samir of the Society of Jesus.
Magdi Christian Allam, a contested conversion
by Samir Khalil Samir, sj
The Catholic baptism of the well known journalist, Magdi Allam, Egyptian and non practising Muslim, has been criticised and despised by the Islamic world. Added to this, is the embarrassment in Christian quarters, of those fearful of seeing a new crusade being launched by Benedict XVI and the Church. Instead, just as with the Regensburg address, this baptism is a message in defence of religious freedom, of evangelisation and of co-existence between religions.Beirut (AsiaNews) – Every year, during the Easter Vigil in St Peter’s basilica, the pope baptises a group of adults drawn from the various continents. On the feast of the baptism of Jesus, meanwhile, the pope traditionally baptises small children.
This year’s vigil saw 7 people baptised. One of them was a Muslim, well known in Italy and abroad: Magdi Allam, deputy editor ad personam of the leading Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera. ………(more)……
Give him a break, Chris!!
He wasn’t instigating a crusade.
If you really read his words carefully, you
would have realise that Christian only asking
his fellow Muslim converts to come out into
the open to proclaim their faith in Christ.
I agree I was being a bit flippan when I wrote that. My issue is that Christians are seen as monsters converting everyone but no one looks at other faiths that way. I agree totally the Popes job is to offer baptism and confirmation among other sacraments and I hope Benedict continues with his mission.