독일 주교들은 9월 12일 많은 무스림들이 교황의 레겐스부룩 대학 강연의 한 부분을 부당하게 해석하였다고 설명하였다. 주교총회의 폐막에서 발표한 멧시지에서, 독일 주교들은, 말썽을 계속 일으키면서 “비난하고, 요구하고, 심지어 협박하는”사람들의 태도를, 전면적으로 거절하였다. 주교회의는 “가톨릭교회와 독일과 전세계에서 언론의 자유를 존중하고 지키는 모든 사람들은 결코 굴하지 않을 것이다.” 무스림당국이 애매한 태도를 취하는 것은 혼란만 가져오므로 반드시 피해야 한다.” “일부 무스림국가에서 그리스도인 소수자가 겪는 위협과 폭력을 유념하고, 특히 소말리아에서 자행된 수녀의 살해를 지적한다.”고 발표하였다. (2006. 10. 3. 제니트 뉴스)
 
 GERMAN BISHOPS URGE MUSLIMS TO RESPECT RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
 
 Describe Criticisms of Papal Address as Unjust
 BERLIN, OCT. 3, 2006 (Zenit.org).- The German bishops described as unjust the interpretation that many Muslims made of a fragment of Benedict XVI's address at the University of Regensburg on Sept. 12.
 In a message published last Thursday at the end of their plenary assembly, the prelates rejected outright the attitude of those who continue to fuel the controversy, "persevering in the presentation of accusations, demands and even threats."
 
 "The Catholic Church and all people who, in Germany and throughout the world, respect and defend freedom of speech, will never allow themselves to be intimidated," they asserted.
 The prelates manifested unanimously their hope that Muslim authorities worldwide will refrain from contributing in any way to "exacerbate the situation again," because "any ambiguity leads only to discord and must be avoided."
 
 In this context, the prelates have noted with concern the harassment and attacks that Christian minorities have suffered in some Muslim countries and above all the murder of a woman religious in Somalia.
 At the same time, the bishops said they considered it a given that representatives of Islam are opposed, in unequivocal terms, to any legitimization of violence and any manipulation of religions for political ends.
 
 The Catholic bishops acknowledged that in the course of history Christian churches have known the temptation to use violence -- and many times fallen for it.
 
 Because of this experience, a dialogue is more necessary than ever between Christianity and Islam "which might serve both sides to purify the memory and give credit to the common testimony of religions for peace and against violence," they continued.
 Reciprocity
 
 In addition, the bishops reminded that, thanks to the German Constitution, Muslims living in the country enjoy religious freedom.
 They manifested the desire that in Muslim countries religious freedom likewise be respected.
 
 "We implore the Muslim organizations in Germany to commit themselves effectively for this respect of freedom of religion in the native countries of Muslims living among us," wrote the prelates.
 After stating that "to insult or profane religious faith is an abuse of freedom," the German prelates explained that there is a very fragile balance between the right to freedom of speech and the right to have one's religious convictions respected.
 
 The bishops concluded by referring to another address of Benedict XVI, dated Aug. 20, 2005, to Muslims on the occasion of World Youth Day in Cologne: "Interreligious and intercultural dialogue between Christians and Muslims … is in fact a vital necessity, on which in large measure our future depends."