When will this gesture be reciprocated? Never. “Interfaith dialogue” is not conducted in search of genuine religious rapprochement. It is designed simply to make Christians feel good about how Christlike and non-bigoted they are (in their own view), while the Muslims can go away satisfied that the Christians are again submitting to them.
The principle is always and everywhere the same: in Muslim countries, one must conform one’s behavior to suit Muslim sensibilities. And in non-Muslim countries, one must conform one’s behavior to suit Muslim sensibilities.
“Leave them; they are blind guides. And if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” (Matthew 15:14)
“Pope Offers Halal Meal on Third Day of the Poor,” by Juliana Freitag, ChurchMilitant.com, December 14, 2019:
Pope Francis’ annual meal with the poor in St. Peter’s Basilica took place again last month, gathering 1,500 people in the Paul VI Hall during celebrations marking the Third Day of the Poor. For the first time since the Sunday lunch with the poor was established in 2016, a meal observant of other religious restrictions was served: The menu offered a bolognese lasagna without pork (an essential ingredient in the centuries-old recipe). Wine was absent from the table as well.The adjustment was announced by Msgr. Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization: “There’s no pork in here, so all guests can eat with no problems.” According to newspaper Il Giornale, this was a “precise choice desired by Pope Francis.”
A Nod to Muslims
The Pope’s inspiration was his Italian counterpart Cdl. Matteo Maria Zuppi, archbishop of Bologna, who last October, on the feast of St. Petronius, patron saint of Bologna, made headlines for the archdiocese’s choice to offer the public a Muslim-friendly version of tortellini, a traditional bolognese pasta filled with raw prosciutto, mortadella (a pork-based bolognese luncheon meat) and pork loin. As an alternative to the classic recipe, the archdiocese offered a chicken breast filling option, an unheard-of modification.
Taking into account that this has never been conceded to the Jewish community (which also doesn’t consume pork), and the political tone that has accompanied both Pope Francis and Cdl. Zuppi, these particular gestures have been largely interpreted as a signal of deference to the Muslim community.
Several outlets branded the lunch a “halal meal,” with The Daily Muslim describing it as follows: “Pope and Islam dialogue with lasagna: Pope Francis served pork-free sauce lasagna … for those who follow the Koran. A rigorously halal menu was provided in the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican.”
Newspaper La Verità deemed the absence of wine a much graver issue, not only because “it’s anti-Christian, but also because it is a profanation of the Wedding Feast at Cana, a symbol of Christ that the Church has hidden. … And ‘if anyone is ashamed of me and my words … the Son of Man will be ashamed of them’” (Mark 8:38).
The celebrations for the feast of St. Petronius of Bologna, which originally inspired Pope Francis, had the “welcoming of immigrants” as theme, with the festivities being led by an art group whose performances were focused on a project about open borders.
Opposition leader Matteo Salvini made it clear that changing the tortellino recipe was an “attempt to cancel our history, our culture,” to which the archdiocese of Bologna promptly replied, calling the controversy “unacceptable fake news.”
Salvini wasn’t the only one to claim disrespect for tradition. Apolitical bolognese chefs have also expressed their disapproval. Ivanna Barbieri, director of the Italian Federation of Chefs, said, “For us, the tortellino is sacred. We have so many other options in Bolognese cuisine, something else could have been chosen.”
Pasta chef Alessandra Spisni said that “tortellini are only the classic ones. If one desires to do something different, they shouldn’t be calling it ‘tortellino.‘ This is our tradition, and we can’t change it to please everybody.” Alberto Salvadori, president of the Confraternity of Tortellino, even called for a boycott.
Ultimately, the initiative was proven pointless, since “only two or three Muslims” actually purchased the chicken tortellini.
Cardinal Zuppi allowed for the modification of a traditional dish that’s been part of Bolognese Christmas lunches ever since the 12th century to cater to members of a community who weren’t even interested in attending an all-day Catholic festivity in the first place.
Vicar general of the archdiocese of Bologna, Msgr. Giovanni Silvagni, explained:
We have introduced this innovation in order to allow everyone to consume one of the main symbols of our city. … The shape of the tortellino reminds us of something that embraces everyone, just like when becoming cardinal, our bishop’s duty will extend over the borders of the diocese and embrace the entire world. Our tortellino is the symbol of how, setting off from Bologna, Zuppi will also take care of the general Church….
Pope Francis & Chrislam
- Mainstream Media Blackout: The Pope And Islam’s Most Important Imam Just Signed A Covenant That Pushes Us Much Closer To A One World Religion
- Muslim converts to Christianity ask Pope in open letter to stop proselytizing for Islam, ‘your teaching about Islam …is dangerous’
- Islamic State Unveils Photos Of Pope Francis Beheaded
- The One World Religion Cometh: Pope Francis Warmly Welcomes Top Islamic Cleric To The Vatican
- In New York, Pope Francis Embraced Chrislam And Laid A Foundation For A One World Religion
Courtesy of Jihad Watch
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