France: Priests and bishops refuse to baptize Muslim converts to Christianity, for fear of the consequences
By Anonymous — Monday, August 16th, 2010
Written By Robert Spencer Why do Muslims engage in violent intimidation? Because it works. Until people are willing to stand up and defy it, it will continue to work. "Christians and Muslims from Algeria to Italy in the footsteps of Saint Augustine," from Asia News, August 13 (thanks to Twostellas): Rome (AsiaNews) - A group of Christians and Muslims from Algeria, Morocco and France have planned a pilgrimage in the footsteps of Saint Augustine, their countryman, that will lead them to Milan and Pavia, where the remains of the North African saint of Hippo lie. There are several Muslim converts to Christianity among the group, some for over 40 years, others for just over a year. The group has long desired to make this pilgrimage and had also wanted to include an audience with the pope. Among the pilgrims, 17 are of North African origin, 14 are converts from Islam and two are catechumens. There is also a future seminarian; the other 10 are of French origin, all accompanied by Fr Alexis Doucet, S.J. To mark the occasion a medal bearing a Berber cross was coined, which will be handed to participants at the end of the pilgrimage. Among the expressed intentions of the pilgrimage is that "Muslims who have heard the call of the Lord Jesus should not be prohibited from entering the Church." The idea refers to some episodes that have occurred in France and Algeria, where many Muslims who wanted to be baptized, have been impeded by priests and bishops, fearful of the consequences and overly precautious. |