Commentary: Vatican admits Muslims more numerous than Catholics

The story:

Islam has overtaken Roman Catholicism as the biggest single religious denomination in the world, the Vatican said on Sunday.

Monsignor Vittorio Formenti, who compiled the Vatican's newly-released 2008 yearbook of statistics, said Muslims made up 19.2 percent of the world's population and Catholics 17.4 percent.

"For the first time in history we are no longer at the top: the Muslims have overtaken us," Formenti told Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano in an interview, saying the data referred to 2006.

He said that if all Christian groups were considered, including Orthodox churches, Anglicans and Protestants, then Christians made up 33 percent of the world's population -- or about 2 billion people.

The Vatican recently put the number of Catholics in the world at 1.13 billion people. It did not provide a figure for Muslims, generally estimated at around 1.3 billion.
Formenti said that while the number of Catholics as a proportion of the world's population was fairly stable, the percentage of Muslims was growing because of higher birth rates.

He said the data on Muslim populations had been compiled by individual countries and then released by the United Nations, adding the Vatican could only vouch for its own statistics.

A clarification (because you can make a catchy headline out of practically any set of statistics):

"Islam" should be taken as an umbrella term much like "Christianity." Islam does not have a central authority, and divisions of Islam are many. Islam is primarily divided into Sunnis (~940 million) and Shiites (~170 million).

Thus, It would be more accurate to compare "Islam" with "Christianity" and compare "Catholicism" with, say, the Sunni branch of Islam. In both these cases, Christianity and Catholicism remain more numerous than their respective counterparts.

Of course, this grammatical precision does not dismiss the demographic reality here: Muslims are having children at rates far exceeding Christians (and Jews, for that matter). It's a sad reality that of the three "Abrahamic Faiths", only Islam appears to fully live out God's promise of fertility.

Furthermore, this population shift is not just taking place in clearly identifiable areas. I remember being in Ireland one weekend in 2003, the first weekend that the number of people attending a Mosque exceeded the number of people attending Anglican services in the UK.

For any questions about world religions and demographics, Philip Jenkins is the scholar to read. I don't always agree with his ecclesiology, but his knowledge of the worldwide landscape is unparalleled, and especially the situation in Africa. His 2006 article for First Things, "Believing in the Global South" is a good place to start.

For those who are looking for a book-length treatment, one might read "The New Faces of Christianity: Believing the Bible in the Global South", "The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity" or "God's Continent: Christianity, Islam, and Europe's Religious Crisis" (in which he claims that the "Islamification" of Europe is being over-dramatized, but Richard John Neuhaus disagrees).

I think that sufficies for a reading list.

Oh, and having Christian babies would help matters as well.

update: more commentary from Monsignor Vittorio Formenti (who compiled the statistics):

Formenti said the information on Muslim numbers had been released by the United Nations, while the Vatican's data on Catholics was based on questionnaires sent out to dioceses worldwide.

"Latin America remains the stronghold for Catholicism, while the American continent as a whole has 49.8% of the world's total," he said.

Formenti said that the number of Catholic priests was on the rebound, particularly in Asia, "where there are few Catholics, but they are driven by great spirit".

He described Africa as a "grand resource" for the church, while Europe and North America were struggling. The number of nuns was undergoing a "drastic reduction".
As for the enrolment of seminarians, Guadalajara in Mexico had the largest number, with two seminaries "packed full".

France, the Netherlands and Belgium were bottom of the league, while Italy was seeing a "small, very small reprise". (source: Rome office of UK Guardian.)

Article: "5 Reasons Muslims Convert"

From Christianity Today:

1. The lifestyle of Christians. Former Muslims cited the love that Christians exhibited in their relationships with non-Christians and their treatment of women as equals.
2. The power of God in answered prayers and healing. Experiences of God's supernatural work—especially important to folk Muslims who have a characteristic concern for power and blessings—increased after their conversions, according to the survey. Often dreams about Jesus were reported.
3. Dissatisfaction with the type of Islam they had experienced. Many expressed dissatisfaction with the Qur'an, emphasizing God's punishment over his love. Others cited Islamic militancy and the failure of Islamic law to transform society.
4. The spiritual truth in the Bible. Muslims are generally taught that the Torah, Psalms, and the Gospels are from God, but that they became corrupted. These Christian converts said, however, that the truth of God found in Scripture became compelling for them and key to their understanding of God's character.
5. Biblical teachings about the love of God. In the Qur'an, God's love is conditional, but God's love for all people was especially eye-opening for Muslims. These converts were moved by the love expressed through the life and teachings of Jesus. The next step for many Muslims was to become part of a fellowship of loving Christians.

A "sixth" reason that I often hear is the "Fatherhood of God". Islam teaches that Jesus Christ is not divine, and so God is not Father in relation to his Son. Subsequently, God cannot be said in any meaningful way to be our father, either. Knowing the paternal love of God the Father can help non-believers accept the revelation of God's Son.

Did the Holy See "emphasize" the pope's baptism of a Muslim convert, or not?

The L'Osservatore Romano is trying to claim the Holy See has not emphasized the conversion:

The official Vatican daily, L’Osservatore Romano, has rejected claims in some media reports that the Holy See has “emphasized” the baptism of Magdi Allam, the Muslim convert and associate director of the Italian daily Corriere Della Sera who entered the Church during the Easter Vigil Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI. (CNA)

To point out an awkward truth, look at today's bulletino, published by the Vatican press office itself:

SUMMARY: 19 - 26 MARCH

• - Easter Triduum and Appeal for the Situation in Tibet
• - Holy Thursday: Chrism Mass and the Lord's Supper Mass
• - Good Friday: Lord's Passion, Way of the Cross at Colosseum
• - Egyptian Muslim Journalist Baptised by the Pope
• - Easter Saturday: Christ's Departure Is a New Return
• - Easter Sunday: the Resurrection Is an Event of Love
• - Missionary Martyrs and the Struggle against Tuberculosis
• - Telegram for the Death of Cardinal Suarez Rivera
• - Christ Gives Us the Certainty of Our Own Resurrection
• - Other Pontifical Acts

Yes, look at the fourth story: "Egyptian Muslim Journalist Baptised by the Pope".

In the text of this story it says:

"The catechumens who will receive Baptism tonight come from Italy, Cameroon, China, the United States and Peru. Among them is Magdi Allam, a well-known journalist of Egyptian origin, vice-director 'ad personam' of the Italian newspaper 'Corriere della Sera'.

He is the only named convert in the article. And the only convert to receive a bulletino headline.

Now, whether he is named because he is "well-known" or because he is Muslim, that is a separate question. Frankly, I'd imagine he is well-known for being an outspoken Muslim individual.

My first post on this story, blogged the day-of, already has a vigorous debate taking place.

Reuters: "Vatican, Muslims prepare historic meeting with Pope"

Noted:

Muslim representatives and Vatican officials begin talks this week that they hope will lead to an unprecedented Catholic-Islamic meeting.

Five representatives from each side will meet on Tuesday for two days in Rome to work out the details of a larger meeting that will include Pope Benedict later this year.

Catholic-Muslim relations nosedived in 2006 after Benedict delivered a lecture in Regensburg, Germany, that was taken by Muslims to imply that Islam was violent and irrational.

Nosedived?

Pope Benedict discusses challenges to Catholics living in Arab regions

Today's Vatican bulletino reports:

This morning in the Vatican, Benedict XVI received prelates from the Conference of Latin Bishops in the Arab Regions (CELRA), the president of which is His Beatitude Michel Sabbah, patriarch of Jerusalem of the Latins.

In his talk to them, the Pope recalled how their episcopal conference "comprises many different situations in which the faithful, natives of many different countries, often live in small communities within societies chiefly composed of believers from other religions".

The Holy Father gave assurances that he shared "the concerns and hopes" of the people of these regions, noting how "the constant cycle of violence, insecurity and hatred makes coexistence very difficult, and can give rise to fears for the survival of your communities".

This situation, he told the prelates, "represents a serious challenge for your pastoral service and motivates you to strengthen the faith of believers and their sense of fraternal cohesion, so that everyone may experience a hope founded on the certainty that the Lord never abandons those who turn to Him".

The plight of the teddy bear schoolteacher and feminist silence

A revealing editorial by Tammy Bruce:

There has been appropriate international outrage over the treatment of Gibbons, from virtually everyone except American “feminists.” Multiple Muslim groups in the U.K. have condemned the sentence. Even the popular little boy in Mrs. Gibbons’ class who suggested the name for the bear came to her defense, explaining that he named the bear after himself.

Yet, when asked by FOX News for a comment about the situation, a National Organization for Women spokeswoman said they were "not putting out a statement or taking a position."

This is how depraved the American left has become. A little Muslim boy in Sudan shows more courage and conviction for a woman under fire than a bunch of women sitting in Washington, D.C., who preen themselves on being the premiere “advocates” for women.

...

This wholesale abandonment of women by the American so-called feminist leadership on an issue that transcends party politics perfectly illustrates how vapid, and even malevolent, they have become. Where is Eleanor Smeal? Gloria Steinem? Kim Gandy of NOW has proven where she is — with the rest of her cohorts hiding behind the NOW couch, save she would be required to take a position that might "offend" Islamists.

Pope Benedict responds to Muslim letter, invites them to Vatican

From today's Vatican bulletino:

On October 13, for the occasion of the end of the Muslim month of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr), a group of 138 Muslim religious leaders sent an open letter to the Holy Father Benedict XVI and to other Christian leaders. The letter was entitled: "A Common Word between Us and You."

The Holy Father has replied with a letter of his own, signed by the Cardinal Secretary of State and addressed to Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad bin Talal, president of the Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought and one of the signatories of the original letter.

In expressing his thanks and appreciation for this significant initiative by the eminent group of Muslim figures, the Holy Father reaffirms the importance of dialogue based on effective respect for the dignity of the person, on objective knowledge of the other's religion, on the sharing of religious experience, and on joint commitment to promoting mutual respect and acceptance.

The Secretary of State's reply also mentions the Holy Father's willingness to receive Prince Ghazi and a delegation of the signatories of the letter, and also highlights the readiness of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, in collaboration with other specialized pontifical institutes, to organize a working meeting.

Secular and Catholic coverage:

• AFP / Reuters
• CNS / AsiaNews / CNA / Vatican Radio

We'll see what comes of all this.

Update: Rocco covers this story and reproduces the full text of Cardinal Bertone's letter on behalf of the Pope.

Update 2: Christopher Blosser has been following this story for some time, and has analysis.

Magister on "Why Pope Benedict is so Cautious with the Muslim Letter"

Very illuminating:

Because the kind of dialogue he wants is completely different. The pope is asking Islam to make the same journey that the Catholic Church made under pressure from the Enlightenment. Love of God and neighbor must be realized in the full acceptance of religious freedom. [Read the rest.]

Keep your eye on tomorrow's Saudi King-Pope Benedict meeting

Update: VIS press release here. Not very informative, in my opinion.

More from CNA, AFP, AP, UPI & BBC.

People more in the international politics know than myself have alerted me that tomorrow's meeting between Pope Benedict and the King of Saudi Arabia Abdullah is both historically and presently very significant, for reasons explained below:

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah will meet Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday in the first encounter between a pope and a Saudi monarch, the Vatican said.

Abdullah is on a European tour and Benedict has been trying to increase dialogue between Catholics and Muslims.

...

The Vatican and Saudi Arabia do not have diplomatic relations, but the Holy See has ties with many other Islamic nations.

Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islam that rejects the possibility of diplomatic relations with a Christian entity. This interpretation would prohibit a Vatican embassy in Saudi Arabia on the grounds it would be equivalent to raising the cross inside the site of Islam’s holiest places.

It is forbidden to practice Christianity inside Saudi Arabia, and it is illegal to bring symbols from religions other than Islam into the country. Bibles and crosses, for instance, are confiscated at the border.

The Vatican has repeatedly stressed its demands for “reciprocity” - meaning that countries such as Saudi Arabia should ease limits on worship by Christians and other non-Muslims. [source.]

More from Iran's Press TV (apparently King Abdullah met with John Paul II when he was the crown prince) and the AFP.

Progress?

“We shall certainly respond to the letter by the 138 Muslim scholars,” says Cardinal Tauran

AsiaNews.It:

The Vatican will “certainly” respond to the open letter to Christian leaders, foremost to Pope Benedict XVI, signed by 138 Muslim scholars, this according to Card Jean-Louis Tauran, President of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue.

“We shall certainly respond,” he said in an interview to Vatican Radio, “because it is a positive signal sent to Christians. As I have said before there are some new elements. For example, when they mention Jesus they quote the New Testament, not the Qur’an. The text itself is not polemical and contains many positive aspects.”

“There is a willingness to collaborate on peace through religion,” the prelate added. “The letter says that Muslims and Christians represent 55 per cent of the world’s population and this has great potential to contribute to peace in the world. The positive elements in this message must be taken up.”

Vatican continues to demand religious freedom for Christians in Muslim countries

... because freedom of religion has to work both ways:

A Vatican representative, speaking at a meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), has demanded recognition of religious freedoms in Muslim countries.

Msgr. Anthony Frontiero, the American-born Vatican representative at the OSCE, said that respect for religious freedom would entail allowing Christians to worship freely, and ending policies that bar Muslims from changing their religious affiliation.

The Vatican envoy's statement came after an Islamic leader had pushed for more concessions to Muslims living in Europe. Last week at an OSCE meeting in Madrid dedicated to the problem of "Islamophobia," the secretary-general of the Arab League, Amr Mousa, demanded that the Catholic cathedral in Cordoba, which was once a mosque, be opened once again for Islamic prayer services. [CWNews]

As for giving back Mezquita (or more properly, the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin), let's talk about Hagia Sophia first, hmm?

"Cardinal Tauran outlines difficulties of dialogue with Muslims"

Some clear words from Cardinal Tauran:

The president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, warned this week of the difficulties posed by inter-religious dialogue with Muslims, since they “do [not, I presume] accept discussions about the Koran, because they say it was written under the dictates of God.”

In an interview with the French daily La Croix, Cardinal Tauran said that currently inter-religious dialogue can take place “with some religions, yes. But with Islam, not at this time. Muslims do not accept discussion about the Koran, because they say it was written under the dictates of God. With such an absolutist interpretation, it’s difficult to discuss the contents of the faith.” [CNA]

Cardinal Tauran's Tepid Response to Muslim Letter

"It is a very interesting letter" said the cardinal.

Today's VIS bulletin:

CARDINAL TAURAN: LETTER FROM MUSLIMS IS ENCOURAGING SIGN

VATICAN CITY, OCT 12, 2007 (VIS) - Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue today published a brief comment on a recent letter by 138 Muslim scholars to the Pope and other Christian leaders.

"It is a very interesting letter," said the cardinal, indicating that it is "a new document because it comes from both Sunni Muslims and Shia Muslims." It is also "a non-polemical document with numerous quotes from both the Old Testament and the New Testament," he added.

Cardinal Tauran then considered what religious leaders must do to prevent the fusion of violence and religion underlining the need "to invite the followers [of religions] to share the three convictions contained in the letter: that God is One; that God loves us and we must love Him; that God calls us to love our neighbor. I would say that this represents a very encouraging sign because it shows that good will and dialogue are capable of overcoming prejudices, This is a spiritual approach to inter-religious dialogue which I would call dialogue of spirituality. Muslims and Christians must respond to one question: in your life, is God truly One?"

Okay, maybe not tepid, but that's how I read it initially. I'd like to find a full text of it (hint).

Meanwhile: "Vatican thinks theological dialogue with Islam is impossible, experts charge."

Ahmadinejad leads unprecedented anti-US rally in Dubai

The AP:

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad led a raucous anti-American rally in the United Arab Emirates a day after a low-key visit by US Vice President Dick Cheney there in an attempt to counter Tehran's influence in the region.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told a cheering Dubai crowd Sunday that America was to blame for creating instability and robbing the region of its wealth. ''Every time your name is mentioned, hatred builds up,'' Ahmadinejad said of the United States to a crowd of thousands, mostly Iranian expatriates. ''Go fix yourself. This is Iran's advice to you. Leave the region... The nations of the region can no longer take you forcing yourself on them.'' (AP)

I'm always interested in what's happening in Dubai (some of my past posts on the city here). Many people claim it is a working example of secular Islam and free market capitalism. However, because of its powerful economy, many extreme Arab leaders are trying to gain influence there, and this rally by Ahmadinejad seems to be a case in point of that trend.

And, just so we all sleep easily tonight, we read today that Iran's nuclear program is now in overdrive:

VIENNA, May 14 — Inspectors for the International Atomic Energy Agency have concluded that Iran appears to have solved most of its technological problems and is now beginning to enrich uranium on a far larger scale than before, according to the agency’s top officials.

The findings may change the calculus of diplomacy in Europe and in Washington, which aimed to force a suspension of Iran’s enrichment activities in large part to prevent it from learning how to produce weapons-grade material.

In a short-notice inspection of Iran’s operations in the main nuclear facility at Natanz on Sunday, conducted in advance of a report to the United Nations Security Council due early next week, the inspectors found that Iranian engineers were already using roughly 1,300 centrifuges and were producing fuel suitable for nuclear reactors, according to diplomats and nuclear experts here.

Until recently, the Iranians were having difficulty keeping the delicate centrifuges spinning at the tremendous speeds necessary to make nuclear fuel and were often running them empty or not at all.

Now, those roadblocks appear to have been surmounted. “We believe they pretty much have the knowledge about how to enrich,” said Mohammed ElBaradei, the director general of the energy agency, who clashed with the Bush administration four years ago when he declared that there was no evidence that Iraq had resumed its nuclear program. “From now on, it is simply a question of perfecting that knowledge. People will not like to hear it, but that’s a fact.” [More...]

Magister on "why the real war is in[side] Islam"

Haven't had a chance to read this yet (exams must come first), but I want to notify interested readers in the meantime:

Why the Real War Is Inside Islam

by Sandro Mafister

Shiites against Sunnis, and Sunnis in conflict with each other: totalitarians against mystics. The enemies are not only the Christians. The analysis of a great Muslim expert: Khaled Fouad Allam