Pope Francis: Free expression doesnt mean right to insult others faith. Asia / Manila / Philippines From: CNN By Greg Botelho and Sunshine Lichauco de Leon January 15, 2015 ... Weighing in on last weeks terror in France and the debate over freedom of expression it stirred, Pope Francis said en route to the Philippines that killing in the name of God is wrong, but it is also wrong to provoke people by belittling their religion. The Pope stressed that there was no justification for the killing of 17 people in three separate incidents, including a massacre in and around the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. The assailants were reportedly Islamist extremists, some of whom called out Allahu akbar, which is Arabic for God is great, as they singled out the magazine, French authorities and Jewish people. One cannot make war (or) kill in the name of ones own religion, Francis said on his way to the Philippines. ... To kill in the name of God is an aberration. Still, even as he decried the violence and generally spoke in support of freedom of expression, the pontiff said that such freedom must have its limits. He didnt mention Charlie Hebdo specifically, or its cartoon depictions of Mohammed, something that many Muslims find offensive. A previous cartoon was one reason the Paris magazine was targeted, and it didnt back down afterward, with its post-attack cover showing Mohammed again, this time crying and holding a sign with the rallying cry Je suis Charlie, French for I am Charlie. Still, even without talking about the magazine by name, the Pope prefaced his remarks by saying, lets go to Paris, lets speak clearly. He then referred to recent violence there, as well as the debate about freedom of expression. Francis said on his flight from Colombo, Sri Lanka, to Manila that everyone had not only the liberty, but also the obligation, to say what he thinks to help the common good. But he added that this should be done without giving offense, because human dignity should be respected. If a friend says a swear word against my mother, then a punch awaits him, Francis said. Vatican Radio reported that he then gestured with a pretend punch directed at the friend, Alberto Gasbarri -- an action that many journalists interpreted as a joke. Vatican spokesman Thomas Rosica later told CNN the remark was spoken colloquially, adding the Pope wasnt advocating violence or in any way justifying the terror attacks. Right after the punch gesture, Francis said, Its normal, its normal. One cannot provoke, one cannot insult other peoples faith, one cannot make fun of faith. >>>> Philippines welcomes the Pope > Mercy and compassion
Posted on: Thu, 15 Jan 2015 22:44:45 +0000
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