Muslims are offended that Pope Benedict has yet to respond to their invitation to “dialogue.”

“the group was disappointed with what it saw as the Vatican’s relatively slow response.”

I think this is a good sign. The Catholic Church shouldn’t feel that she needs to have a chair at the ecumenical round table. The Holy Father is the Vicar of Christ, not the moderator of something like the Lutheran World Federation. Can you imagine a group of fifth century Manicheans sending an invitation to Pope Leo the Great and then expecting the pope to give a speedy response and then show up as a participant?

“The cardinal [Tauron] said Christians could not discuss theology seriously with Muslims because [Muslims] did not question the Koran. He also said any talks should discuss why some Muslim states limit church building while Muslims can build mosques in Europe.”

The Cardinal is not pulling any punches and I salute him. It’s not like Muslims and Christians are unaware of their differences, and the good cardinal tells it like it is. Great men and great institutions know what they are about and move forward. Viva Papa!

Full text of “Muslim scholars urge Benedict to back dialogue appeal” from Reuters Africa.