by Hassan Mahmood 

     Pope Francis, in his recent comments regarding Islam and terrorism has taken a commendable position on one of the most pressing issues of our time. Just two months ago, he talked about the injustice of equating Islam to violence and terrorism saying, “It is not right and it is not true.” His rhetoric towards refugees as well draws the admiration of many, Catholic or otherwise.

     It appears however, that this doctrine of love and tolerance – in essence the message of Jesus (peace be upon him) – does not emanate from all members of the church hierarchy. Not two weeks ago, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, considered by many to be a leading candidate to succeed the current Pontiff, warned listeners of the impending threat of Islam to Europe and its people. The speech was delivered on the holiday commemorating victory at the battle of Vienna against the Ottoman Empire. These words on that day revive terrifying echoes of a time rife with intolerance, disrespect, and devastating religious politicism.

In the 21st century that is ever threatening to devolve into chaos. These kinds of divisive, accusatory, and ultimately inflammatory statements are exactly the kind of tinder that fuel the fires of misguided hatred in people’s hearts. To compound the issue, Cardinal Schönborn’s words come during turbulent times as the refugee crisis in Europe has filled people with fears and uncertainties about the future.

The statement that “Many Muslims would be glad to see Europe conquered by Islam” is both incorrect and terribly ironic. First and foremost, if a large portion of the Muslim population really wanted to “conquer Europe” in the traditional sense then a sizable group from among the 44 million Muslims living within Europe’s borders would be doing everything in their power to decimate the countries in which they live. As we do not see such widespread and terrifying mayhem, it is only logical that most Muslims in fact don’t want to overthrow or “conquer” Europe as Cardinal Schönborn insidiously implied.

It is blatantly obvious that the Cardinal’s words were an exercise in religious politicism. By taking advantage of the current political climate of Europe, he has made Islam the boogeyman responsible for Europe’s problems, and Catholicism its only source of relief. After all, the Cardinal says himself that Europe is “in danger of forfeiting our Christian heritage.” And “What will become of Europe?”

     The irony in this portrayal of Islam is that if most Christians were asked, they would be ecstatic about the idea of a Middle East and Europe united in Christianity. Does this mean that they wish to invade and “conquer” the Middle East? Most certainly not. They simply wish the widespread and heartfelt adoption of the ideals they hold to be superior to all others. In the words of Cardinal Schönborn himself, this is to be done by spreading the word to “everyone, even strangers.”
     In times of uncertainty and fear, it is not the divisiveness of religious politics that will help us as a global community. It is, in fact, the message of tolerance and mutual cooperation espoused by the Bishop of Rome which is what the world so desperately needs. As responsible citizens of an ever shrinking world, we must strive to be examples in this for others.