Apology for the Crusades

Nine hundred years ago, our forefathers carried the name of Jesus Christ in battle across the Middle East. Fuelled by fear, greed and hatred, they betrayed the name of Christ by conducting themselves in a manner contrary to His wishes and character. The Crusaders lifted the banner of the Cross above your people. By this act, they corrupted its true meaning of reconciliation, forgiveness and selfless love.

On the anniversary of the first Crusade, we also carry the name of Christ. We wish to retrace the footsteps of the Crusaders in apology for their deeds and in demonstration of the true meaning of the Cross. We deeply regret the atrocities committed in the name of Christ by our predecessors. We renounce greed, hatred and fear, and condemn all violence done in the name of Jesus Christ.

Where they were motivated by hatred and prejudice, we offer love and brotherhood. Jesus the Messiah came to give life. Forgive us for allowing His name to be associated with death. Please accept again the true meaning of the Messiah's words:

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour." As we go, we bless you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

    We, too, at IsaalMasih.net wish to extend our sincere and heartfelt apologies as well for such terrible atrocities acted out under the name of Christianity. Isa al Masih ushered into the world a Kingdom of Peace, not of hatred. His followers who participated in this 900+ years ago may have been sincere in their actions, but they were sincerely wrong in what they did under the name of Christ.

    The letter you read above was created in 1996 for the "Reconciliation Walk". This "Walk" began in Cologne, Germany and followed the footsteps of the Crusaders, apologizing for the acts of the Crusades. May God be glorified and cause hatred and bitterness to be forgiven as He forgives us.

    For more information, please see www.reconciliationwalk.org