A group of American Muslims is using compassion to counter the violent reactions of fellow Muslims who were angered by Pope Benedict XVI’s controversial remarks about Islam.

The Florida office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said it will deliver $5,000 in seed money to help repair six Catholic churches in the Palestinian Territories that were damaged by Muslims who were infuriated by the pope’s speech.

On Sept. 12, the pope cited a Byzantine emperor who had called the Muslim prophet Muhammad’s teachings “evil and inhuman.” Several churches were burned as a result.

“These churches were protected under Islam,” said Ahmad Bedier, executive director of CAIR-Tampa. “We were upset to see them attacked.”

Said the Rev. Robert Gibbons, vicar general for the Diocese of St. Petersburg: “I’m very impressed that (CAIR) would make this statement to Christians that Muslims don’t condone this violence.”