Vatican reaches out to Muslims in Ramadan message

VATICAN CITY, Saturday (AP) - The Vatican has called on Muslims to join Catholics in working to defeat terrorism as it intensified efforts to improve relations with Islam following protests over Pope Benedict XVI's remarks about Islam and violence.

In past years, the Holy See would release the text of the Vatican's annual Ramadan message. But this year, the Vatican's top official on inter-religious dialogue, Cardinal Paul Poupard, presented the message himself at a news conference as a sign of concern over the recent outrage.

''I thought it opportune to do so,'' Poupard said. The message is aimed at ''our Muslim friends,'' who share ''common values in facing the challenges of the world,'' he said.

''I wish you peace, tranquillity and joy in your hearts, your homes and your countries,'' the cardinal said in the message. ''These good wishes echo those which His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI expressed personally at the beginning of Ramadan to the diplomats accredited to the Holy See'' from predominantly Muslim countries. The message indirectly referred to the controversy over the pope's remarks. ''The particular circumstances that we have recently experienced together demonstrate clearly that, however arduous the path of authentic dialogue may be at times, it is more necessary than ever.''

Benedict has called for increased dialogue with Muslims after his Sept. 12 speech at a university in Germany offended many Muslims around the world. In that speech, Benedict quoted words attributed to a 14th century Byzantine emperor: ''Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.''

He has since expressed regret that Muslims took offense and has reiterated his esteem for Islam.

The Ramadan message denounced the ''painful scourge'' of violence and terrorism which has destroyed lives, left women widowed, children orphaned and destroyed ''so much, which has taken years of sacrifice and toil to build.''

''As Christian and Muslim believers, are we not the first to be called to offer our specific contribution to resolve this serious situation and these complex problems?'' the message asked. ''Without doubt, the credibility of our religious leaders and all believers is at stake.''

The words echoed an appeal of Benedict's last month to Muslim envoys, saying the two faiths must together reject violence because the future of humanity is at stake.

Benedict will have an intense opportunity to improve relations late next month when he makes a pilgrimage to Turkey, his first trip as pontiff to a predominantly Muslim country. Monsignor Pier Luigi Celata, secretary of the Vatican's pontifical council for inter-religious dialogue, said he recently traveled to Turkey and the Palestinian territories to improve relations after Benedict's speech. ''The misunderstanding, the incomprehension has been cleared up,'' Celata insisted. ''We go forward, more courageously. It's more necessary than before.''

Celata, a former Vatican diplomat in Turkey, acknowledged that the speech had caused ''apprehension'' in Turkey. He noted that the pope's remarks also sparked debate about doubts Benedict had expressed before he became pope about whether largely Muslim Turkey should join the European Union.

But Celata insisted Turkey was now ''serene'' and ready to ''accord the pope the hospitality that is typical of Turkey and of the Muslim world.''