John Allen’s weekly column has been posted with a good, detailed examination of the peace gathering at Assisi – not the gathering itself, but the Pope’s words on such gatherings, past and present:

Andrea Riccardi, the founder of Sant’Egidio, was asked at a Sept. 5 press conference if Benedict was "suffocating the spirit of Assisi while preserving its letter." In reply, Riccardi said he’s been around the block on the issue of inter-religious dialogue for more than twenty years.

"I think I understand the logic of messages and texts from the church on the subject," Riccardi said. "When I defend what the pope said, it’s not merely because I’m obliged to defend it. Relativism was a concern not just of Benedict but also of John Paul II."

Riccardi pointed out that Ratzinger had attended the 2002 event. On that day, participants were transported from Rome to Assisi on the rarely-used papal train (dubbed by the Italian press the "peace train.") Riccardi said he spoke with Ratzinger on the train back to Rome, and that Ratzinger said the summit "had gone very well, he was very happy with it."

"I would rather say that Ratzinger the theologian is reformulating the spirit of Assisi," Riccardi said of Benedict’s message for the Sant’Egidio event, and his general approach to exchanges with other religions.

Benedict still wants conversation with other religions, but also greater safeguards against the dangers of religious relativism, Ricardi suggested.

"The pope knows we have to dialogue," Riccardi said, pointing especially to Benedict’s desire for exchanges with Muslims.

Allen goes on to look at then-Cardinal Ratzinger’s writings on inter-religious and multi-religious prayer. Interesting, and a close look you’ll not find elsewhere.

An Opus Dei bishop on tour…the USCCB role in the MPAA?…the Capuchins’ election…and more.