A beautiful (though quiet) discussion has taken place at the Synod for the New Evangelisation concerning the phenomenon of conversions from Islam to Christianity. Catholic bishops in predominantly Muslim lands indicate that such conversions are taking place, but there are two major obstacles.
The first obstacle is the long-standing local tradition that one should not change religions, and the further complication that Islam threatens death to those who leave the faith. But the second obstacle is in our own realm, and has to be studied carefully. Archbishop Joseph Absi, auxiliary and protosyncellus in Damascus of the Greek-Melkites in Syria, states:
"The Muslims do not see the difference between Christians and Westerners, because they do not distinguish, themselves, between what is religious and what is political and social. What precedes the Westerners is perceived by the Muslims as preceding the Christians. Now, Western behavior, especially on the cultural and political level and in a general way, harms the religious and national sensitivity of the Muslims, their values, their ethics and their culture. Consequentially, this forms an obstacle to their openness to Christianity and to their possible evangelization."
In fact, he explained, "The majority of Muslims are convinced that the relaxing of mores, the exploitation of weak and poor peoples, the disdain of the Muslim religion that they feel from Westerners, comes from Christians. What can be done to stop the Muslims from confusing Christianity and the West, Christians and Westerners, and to not feel ridiculed and frustrated? The Synod, in its configuration of new evangelization, should lean towards this question, to learn how to avoid, as much as possible, tensions and misunderstandings and what to do so that the Muslims may be more receptive with regards to the Church and to the Gospel."
Think about it. We bewail the decline of morals, the shredding of our culture, and the abandonment of Christian principles in the West, but Muslims still see it all of a piece:
Western Culture = Depravity and Licentiousness.
This must inspire Christian women to consider the virtues of purity, chastity, and modesty in the West as being essential to helping Muslims seeing the beauty of Christian culture. We must embrace those virtues -- not only for our own souls -- because others depend on us here and far beyond the scope of our normal vision.
An uphill battle, no doubt. But all things are possible with God's grace. Begin with yourself, and pray for others to see this important truth. Souls depend on our fidelity to the feminine genius. Virgin, Most Pure, pray for us!
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