BRASILIA (Reuters) - Outraged Indian leaders in Brazil said on Monday they were offended by Pope Benedict's "arrogant and disrespectful" comments that the Roman Catholic Church had purified them and a revival of their religions would be a backward step.
In a speech to Latin American and Caribbean bishops at the end of a visit to Brazil, the Pope said the Church had not imposed itself on the indigenous peoples of the Americas.
They had welcomed the arrival of European priests at the time of the conquest as they were "silently longing" for Christianity, he said.
Millions of tribal Indians are believed to have died as a result of European colonization backed by the Church since Columbus landed in the Americas in 1492, through slaughter, disease or enslavement.
Many Indians today struggle for survival, stripped of their traditional ways of life and excluded from society.
"It's arrogant and disrespectful to consider our cultural heritage secondary to theirs," said Jecinaldo Satere Mawe, chief coordinator of the Amazon Indian group Coiab.
Several Indian groups sent a letter to the Pope last week asking for his support in defending their ancestral lands and culture. They said the Indians had suffered a "process of genocide" since the first European colonizers had arrived.
...
Pope Benedict not only upset many Indians but also Catholic priests who have joined their struggle, said Sandro Tuxa, who heads the movement of northeastern tribes.
"We repudiate the Pope's comments," Tuxa said. "To say the cultural decimation of our people represents a purification is offensive, and frankly, frightening.
Also, This is how it's done. A bit of class, but not obsequiousness, from one of Falwell's bitterest enemies.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State Issues Statement On The Death Of Jerry Falwell
I just can't get with the necro hate-fest I'm seeing around the blog-sphere. Much of it vile and disgraceful. However, nor do I begrudge their catharsis. To his family, I'm sorry for their loss. For society as a whole, he won't be missed. He said and did a lot that I found personally offensive, and he didn't even manage to be all that interesting while he did it. His life's work was to perpetuate bigotry and hate. I refuse to return it.
Some of his legacy, even today:
Bush met with Dobson and conservative Christian leaders to rally support for Iran policy That's rallying support for attacks and war, by the way.
Post a Comment