Papal Aide Warns against Islamization

	Msgr. Georg Gänswein.

It's the sort of statement that must be routine behind closed doors in the Church but rarely gets articulated in public, and when it does, it deserves attention: Pope Benedict XVI's private secretary, Msgr. Georg Gänswein, said in an interview with Sueddeutsche Zeitung Magazin:

Die Islamierungsversuche im Westen sind nicht wegzureden. Und die damit verbundene Gefahr für die Identität Europas darf nicht aus falsch verstandener Rücksicht ignoriert werden. Die katholische Seite sieht das sehr klar und sagt es auch.

Which translates into English as:

Attempts to Islamize the West cannot be denied. And the associated danger for the identity of Europe should not be ignored out of a false understanding of respect. The Catholic side sees this clearly and says as much.

Comment: One waits for the pope himself to speak about these matters in a direct, detailed, and specific manner. (July 27, 2007)