Get Your Boots On

by Camie Davis

Warning: you might want to put on a pair of boots and a mask before reading this because, quite frankly, you’re about to wade through a load of crap.

Following a Vatican sponsored two-week long meeting to discuss the plight of Christians in the Middle East, Lebanon-born archbishop of Boston, Massachusetts, Cyril Salim Bustros, ended the meeting with this statement, “The Holy Scriptures cannot be used to justify the return of Jews to Israel and the displacement of the Palestinians, to justify the occupation by Israel of Palestinian lands . . . We Christians cannot speak of the ‘promised land’ as an exclusive right for a privileged Jewish people. This promise was nullified by Christ. There is no longer a chosen people – all men and women of all countries have become the chosen people.”

If that weren’t enough, get out your shovel, because its about to get deeper. The following is taken from the Mideast Synod’s Report, called the "relatio post disceptationem" (report after the discussion). Note the sparse comments regarding Jews and Judaism verses the flowering prose regarding Muslims and Islam. In the document a mere 2 paragraphs sum up the relationship the Vatican has with Judaism, while 10 long paragraphs are written regarding Islam. Below are quotes from the Vatican's document:

“While condemning the violence whatever its origin and calling for a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we express our solidarity with the Palestinian people . . .”

Yet, then they quickly make the hypocritical point for Churches in the West not to take sides:
“The Churches in the West are asked not take the side of one party, forgetting the point of view and the conditions of the other.”

“The Declaration Nostra aetate of the Second Vatican Council specifically treats the relations between the Church and the non-Christian religions. Judaism has a special place in this document.” Kind of like Judaism had a special place during the inquisition?

“Initiatives for dialogue take place at the level of the Holy See and the local Churches. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict affects relations between Christians and Jews. Repeatedly, the Holy See has clearly expressed its position, appealing for both peoples to be able to live in peace, each in its own homeland, with secure and internationally recognised borders." Each in its own homeland? Okay, Vatican, surely you know history. The Palestinians have a homeland with borders. It's called Jordan.

“Judaism has a special place in this document.” Let your hearts be warmed, Jews, by that special place.

“Our Churches reject anti-Semitism and anti-Judaism.” Pause to laugh and regain composure.

“The reading of the Old Testament and a greater appreciation for Jewish traditions assist in better understanding the Jewish religion.” Thank you Archbishop Bustros for being the shining example of how reading the Old Testament leads to a better understanding of Judaism. Guess you’ve been reading an edited version of the Bible, huh? Perhaps someone could loan you a copy with Jeremiah 31:34,35 in it.

Now for the Church's totally unbiased, warm, fuzzy feelings towards the Muslims.
“The Church regards with esteem also the Muslims. They adore the one God, living and subsisting in Himself; merciful and all- powerful, the Creator of heaven and earth, who has spoken to men.”

“There are many reasons for fostering relations between Christians and Muslims: all are fellow citizens, all share the same language and the same culture, not to mention the same joys and sufferings.”

“Our closeness to Muslims is strengthened by 14 centuries of living together, in enduring difficult moments as well as many positive ones.”

“Hence the essential importance of our educational institutions, which are open to all, effectively providing an education in friendship, justice and peace. The ecclesial movements also make a very valid contribution in this area. The Loving God loves Muslims.”

“We have the duty to educate our faithful for interreligious dialogue and in the acceptance of religious diversity, in respect and in mutual esteem. The prejudices inherited from the history of conflicts and controversies, on both sides, must be carefully faced, clarified and corrected.” Thanks, again, Archbishop Bustros for your shining example of facing, clarifying, and correcting prejudices.

“Dialogue is beneficial in the service of peace, in favor of life and against violence. Dialogue is the path of nonviolence. Love is more necessary and effective than discussion. We must not argue with Muslims but love them, hoping to elicit reciprocity from their hearts. It is necessary to avoid any provocative, offensive, humiliating action and any anti-Islamic attitude.” That’s because they save all the provocative, offensive, humiliating action for the Jews.


“To be authentic, dialogue must take place in truth. Dialogue is a testimony in truth and love. It is necessary to speak frankly about the truth, the problems and the difficulties, in a respectful and charitable way.” Archbishop Bustros, you’re battin’ a thousand!

“We all have to work together for the promotion of justice, peace, freedom, human rights, the environment and the values of life and the family. Socio-political problems are to be addressed, not as rights to be demanded for Christians, but as universal rights that Christians and Muslims defend together for the good of all.” Translation, “We all have to work together for the rights of the Palestinians.”

“It is necessary to eliminate prejudicial statements against others from school textbooks, and all that is offensive or misrepresents others. We shall try rather to understand the point of view of the other, while respecting different beliefs and practices. We shall emphasize what we have in common, in particular on the spiritual and moral level.” Who needs prejudicial statements in school textbooks when you’ve got Archbishop Bustros as a spokesman?

“Whether we are Muslims or Christians, we must pursue a common path together. Although we differ in our understanding of man, of his rights and freedoms, we can together find a clear, definite foundation for joint action, for the good of our societies and our countries.” Ahem, again this pertains to Palestinians only, as the Church clearly stated, like children on a playground, that they are on the Palestinians’ side.

Well, there you have it, my friends, loadis excrementum straight from the Catholic Church’s mouth . . . or arse. Take your pick as both ends are spewing the same thing.