Algeria has a Martyr for Muslim and Christian Dialogue

Book Published on the Roman Jurisdiction's Bishop Pierre Claverie of the Catholic Church

ROME, NOV. 22, 2004 - The Roman Bishop Pierre Claverie, was murdered in Algeria in 1996, has bequeathed with his life two important elements for dialogue between Muslims and Christians: cordiality and realism.

So says the Roman Jurisdiction's Catholic Dominican Father Jean-Jacques Pérennès, a professor at the Institute of Oriental Studies in Cairo, in a new book dedicated to the slain roman bishop of Oran. Father Pérennès spent 10 years with Bishop Claverie.

Entitled "Bishop Among Muslims, Pierre Claverie, Martyr in Algeria" ("Vescovo tra i Musulmani, Pierre Claverie, Martire in Algeria," Città Nuova), the volume was presented last Thursday in the St. Louis of France cultural center of the French Embassy in the Vatican.

On hand were the author; Roman Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, president of the Roman Jurisdiction's Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue; and Vincent Aucante, director of the host center.

Archbishop Fitzgerald told the gathering: "We certainly find all the qualities enumerated on the role of a bishop, especially friendship, in Pierre Claverie. We can say that Pierre carried friendship with him. He was everyone's friend, and we know how difficult the Algerian situation is."

"He has been a Christian example," the prelate said. "He loved the members of his natural family and of his religious family; the latter friendship connected with professional work and his pastoral ministry."

Explaining how Bishop Claverie succeeded in establishing dialogue between Islam and Christianity, Father Pérennès said, "He has shed an original light on the meeting between Christians and Muslims, approaching dialogue in a warm but also realistic manner, aware of the difficulties of the meeting in regard to the dogmas of the faith.

"He gave priority to human relations, although this posture was nourished by faith and courage. He gave his life for his convictions, in solidarity with all Algerians, who dream about a future open Algeria."

Of his friendship with Bishop Claverie, the author said: "I have so many memories that unite me to him. The most intense is that of the day of my priestly ordination. And I still feel very close to him. I have written this book to continue to give a voice to one they wished to silence by killing him."

Pierre Claverie was born in Algiers in 1938 in the neighborhood of Bab el-Oued, which he himself called the "colonial bubble." He was killed by a bomb on Aug. 1, 1996, together with his Muslim driver, Mohammed Pouchikhi.

The Dominican, who had dedicated all his life to foster dialogue between Muslims and Christians, had such profound knowledge of Islam that, according to a report in the British Catholic review The Tablet, he was often consulted on this subject by Muslims themselves.

During 1992-2000, violence by Muslim extremists led to the death of 19 men and women religious, including seven Trappist monks at a monastery at Thibirine.

Father Pérennès' book, originally written in French, has been translated into Arabic. An English version is in preparation.

Apostle1.com's Editorial Note: It is impossible for Muslims (Islamic Religionists) to be counted among the Christian Community primarily because they do not accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, as God-Man, as the Son of the Father Almighty. In fact, the Muslim's own idea of what comes close to that of the Christian Bible is called the "Koran" or "Q'oran" which flatly denounces all other religions that are not Islamic (Muslim) and those who believe in any other religion are to be treated with such contempt that in many Arabic countries it is not uncommon for Jews and Christians to be slaughtered. This knowledge is based on historical fact. Albeit, it was not uncommon in ancient times for Christian soldiers to kill Muslims (Islamic religionists). The Koran of the Muslims allows for women to be treated no differently than cattle and there exist worse issues which 'human rights' is a primary problem. Thus, no matter how much dialogue and attempts to learn about the people of the Muslim religion (Islamic)... as individuals, is one thing. But to learn about the faith those people believe in, is at odds with all other religions as they view them.

Attempts to bring harmony between Muslims, Jews and Christians will only be a facade and not, in fact, a reality in spirit for each must adhere to their own Holy Book even when such is in disharmony with each other. Thus, the idea and goal of the World Council of Churches, the World Council of Bishops and other such organizations which leads to the Evil One's goal of building a One World Church will be realized at a cost to those of varying religions and faiths which will rebound upon the people of those faiths to such a horrible degree in times to come.

Only Jesus Christ, on His second coming, will resolve all those issues, not man. Yet man is trying to ursurp the authority of Jesus Christ. Such ursurpation is actually the Evil One's goal through men of image, self-ego, vanity and greed. We already see this in various so-called communities, organizations and even governments in these times and it will grow worse.

The main character of the book, the Roman Jurisdiction's Bishop Pierre Claverie, more likely sought not just to foster dialogue, but to bring Muslims to Christ and not Christians to the Muslim religion.

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