Does The Pope Speak For Us All?

The recent angry reaction of Muslim leaders and peoples to the speech of Pope Benedict in which he quoted a medieval reference by a European leader about the Koran underlined the fact that the new Pope's reign as leader of the Roman Catholic church is likely to be a stormy one.
It was somewhat ironical that a number of Protestant churches were the target of arsonists following the Pope's statement, seeing that Protestants were not involved in the controversy.
It cannot be denied that many parts of the world where Muslims are the predominant religion displays intolerance towards Christianity and denies followers of Christ the opportunity of worshipping according to their beliefs.
Perhaps it is understandable if many Muslims do not find any difference in the Protestant and Roman Catholic approach to Islam and the Muslim world.
The fact is that a distinct Protestant stance on many issues is hardly ever heard these days, and many Protestant leaders do not broadcast the fact that their tradition is separate from that of Rome.
No wonder the Pope appears to speak for 'Christianity' as a whole, when he makes statements nowadays. The Protestant and Reformed attitude these days seems to be one of quiet support for the Roman Catholic line on matters of morality and relations with other faiths.
World Protestantism today is a mere shadow of its former greatness when it comes to echoing the view of Luther, Calvin, Knox, Cranmer,...

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