Magdi Allam, an Italian journalist received Christian baptism at the hands of Pope Benedict at the recent Easter vigil mass celebrated at St. Peter's. Allam has been an outspoken opponent to radical Islamic extremistism even to the point of writing a pro-Israel book, Viva Israele (Long Live Israel: see more at Wikipedia). Many westerners have criticized Pope Benedict for this bold move, but the Pope will not let extremists set the agenda by allowing freedom of conscience take a back seat to terrorism. No doubt the journalist begged the Pope to allow him to make his profession a very public one, and the pontiff certainly admires Allam's willingness to risk his life for his faith. I believe the Pope sees multiple opportunities in this Muslim's conversion, not the least of which is to rouse western cafeteria Catholics from their pick and choose mentality - so ready to avoid the hard teachings of Christ for those that conform to a modern view of expediency.

Like many Catholic converts, Allam seems to have "thought" his way into the Catholic Church. His writings point to a delineation between the path that Islam has taken compared to that of Christianity - with Christianity holding to a standard of a God who shares his rational nature with his creatures over a God who imposes only his will.

It should be said that Allam considered conversion upon his arrival to Italy with his Catholic wife for the sake of "fitting in", he never took the step, waiting for something more compelling. I believe in the not-to-distant future we will discover his path as he makes public his conversion story.

Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.

Powered by AkoComment!