It was great to welcome 10 new members into full communion with the Catholic Church in my own parish this weekend. Our church was not the only ones receiving new members.
A Muslim author and critic of Islamic fundamentalism was baptized a Catholic by Pope Benedict on Sunday. He is now in great danger because of his conversion.
"I realize what I am going up against but I will confront my fate with my head high, with my back straight and the interior strength of one who is certain about his faith," said Magdi Allam.
That is an incredible faith. While often we Christians debate trivial matters and some even wonder if the Catholic faith is part of the Christian church, here is a man who is willing to risk his life to say "yes" it is.
In a surprise move on Saturday night, the pope baptized the 55-year-old, Egyptian-born Allam at an Easter eve service in St Peter's Basilica that was broadcast around the world. The conversion of Allam to Christianity -- he took the name "Christian" for his baptism -- was kept secret until the Vatican disclosed it in a statement less than an hour before it began.
His conversion, which he called "the happiest day of my life," came just two days after al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden accused the pope of being part of a "new crusade" against Islam.
Maybe this is a "new crusade". One in which hearts and minds are changed through freedom and access to truth. It is a peaceful crusade that could change the world.
Allam defended the pope in 2006 when the pontiff made a speech in Regensburg, Germany, that many Muslims perceived as depicting Islam as a violent faith. Sadly we are constantly supplied with new evidence to convince us of such.
Allam said he made his decision to convert after years of deep soul searching and asserted that the Catholic Church has been "too prudent about conversions of Muslims."
The Vatican statement announcing Allam's conversion said: "For the Catholic Church, each person who asks to receive Baptism after a deep personal search, a fully free choice and adequate preparation, has a right to receive it."
It said all newcomers to the faith were "equally important before God's love and welcome in the community of the Church."
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