Statement on planned burning of Korans

September 9, 2010

Bishop Matthew Clark and the people of the Diocese of Rochester join Pope Benedict XVI and other leaders in expressing our strongest objections to the appalling plan by a Florida minister to destroy copies of the Qur’an, the sacred Islamic religious text. We hold out our hands and hearts to Muslims in our community and throughout the world in what is for all an unbearable time of discord and disharmony.

As Christians and as Americans, we are saddened by the hateful rhetoric against Muslims. We reject any act or use of language that aims to hurt, stereotype or condemn people because of their religious beliefs.

We believe that all people on this earth are sisters and brothers who are inextricably linked — created by a loving and benevolent God who desires a world of harmony, compassion and peace.