Insidious Indignation

Follow-up for Drowning Out Dialogue

After explaining himself through an underling yesterday, Pope Benedict XVI personally responded to the hullabaloo created by his remarks.

I wish also to add that I am deeply sorry for the reactions in some countries to a few passages of my address at the University of Regensburg, which were considered offensive to the sensibility of Muslims.

These in fact were a quotation from a medieval text, which do not in any way express my personal thought.

Yesterday, the Cardinal Secretary of State published a statement in this regard in which he explained the true meaning of my words.

I hope that this serves to appease hearts and to clarify the true meaning of my address, which in its totality was and is an invitation to frank and sincere dialogue, with great mutual respect.

Shrieking for an apology (because Benedict XVI had the audacity to mention a historical quote while speaking at a university) is the latest manifestation of reactionary leaders manipulating the Muslim public. Even with a personal apology, the misrepresentation will still be propagated by those benefiting from averse reactions to it.

Full Letter

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