This is the first of some I have found, that are very interesting to say the least.
http://www.cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=08VATICAN17&q=gold%20libya
| Subject | Holy See: Conversations On Interfaith Relations | ||||
| Origin | Embassy Vatican (Vatican) | ||||
| Cable time | Wed, 30 Jan 2008 17:19 UTC |
Father Ayuso noted that "A Common Word Between You and Us" was a dramatic step that had created a "golden chance" for relations between Christianity and Islam. The document (see reftel) now has 211 signatories,
Ayuso emphasized the need for Christians to support open-minded Muslims and help Islam progress after centuries of intellectual stagnation. The Islamic world needs reform, and the signers of "A Common Word" have taken the initiative to accelerate that reform. Christians should not miss this chance to help that process. At the same time, the Christian response must proceed at the right pace; it will not do to rush ahead. Expectations have already become high. Apart from the delicacy of the Christian-Muslim dialogue itself, each side must also take great care to coordinate internally -- by no means an easy task.
Cardinal Tauran observed that there is "no separation" between religion and politics in Islam, and that in dealing with Islam one is always in a sense dealing with the entire population. He said Muslims tend to be very sensitive, having a kind of inferiority complex. Tauran recalled that after his own comments to the French daily La Croix (October 2007) suggesting theological difficulties in Catholic-Muslim dialogue, Muslims were "very offended" and challenged his right to define their faith.
"A Common Word" changed the reality for everyone, and now "we are condemned to dialogue" as Tauran put it. Pope Benedict XVI is adamant that this dialogue develop properly, and it will be a great challenge for the Church for the next fifty years. The Church has an obligation to help in the formation of younger Muslims, and to aid the renaissance of intellectual life in Islam. (Note: Tauran was careful to distinguish between Arabs and Iranians in this context, observing that Persian culture has always been very sophisticated.) The Church must work with Gulf countries, which are open-minded; and with the new generation. Much depends on the Saudis. Tauran said he was not privy to last November's conversation between Saudi King Abdullah and the Pope, but understood that the conversation had remained at a fairly abstract level and was also thus far essentially confined to the two principals; there was no lower-level substantive coordination, nor has there been detailed followup.
The Israelis, said the cardinal, claim that access to international holy places has never been so easy as it is now, with those holy places under Israeli control; but this is simply not true in his opinion, even though "they don't like it when I say so".
Like Farrell, Tauran pointed out that the Russian Orthodox were essentially cocooned for 70 years, and it will take time for them to fully reintegrate into interfaith dialogues; they have an inferiority complex of their own.
I have found some other interesting Vatican related cables.
pope - pelosi meeting -
does not like what Israel is doing in Gaza - very critical over it. also does not like being taxed by Israeli govt. for property in Israel.
agreements being reached on taxation of Prop in Israel
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