IT is again interesting to note the different approaches to Christianity in the west compared to Islam.

On the one hand we have the President of the United States appealing to a so-called pastor not to carry out his threat to burn copies of the Koran on the ninth anniversary of 9/11.

This was, of course, to avoid the threat of a violent response by fanatics.

On the other hand we have a visit by the Pope to Britain attracting the biggest campaign of Pontiff-bashing seen in this country for at least 200 years.

Let us be clear. To burn the Koran would be an extremely offensive act, just as burning the Bible or the Torah would be to Christians and Jews and would be totally repellent.

But some of those who would howl loudest against an insult to Islam (because of the fear of reprisals) are queuing up to pour scorn on the Pope and, by implication, those who regard him as the head of their Church as well as the successor to Peter.

This Pope in particular is in the firing line because of the appalling child abuse committed by some Catholic priests and by his alleged collusion in the non-prosecution of one guilty individual.

There is also concern about the cost of the visit.

Sadly the Pontiff's guilt or innocence is unlikely to be proven, but Pope Benedict has vigorously denied the allegation.

At the centre of all this is the effect on the Catholic flock in Britain. This visit is supposed to be a pastoral one, bringing comfort and guidance to four million believers but it is in danger of being hijacked by the vociferous anti-Christian establishment which sees the faith as an easy target for its spite.

We believe that most Catholics are sincere, decent people who are proud of their faith and its 2,000-year heritage.

They have been deeply wounded by the abuse scandals and many struggle with the church's unbending stance on sexual morality, birth control and abortion.

But for social commentators and lobby groups to denigrate their faith and its followers is similar in our view to denigrating all Germans for the atrocities of World War Two or indeed denigrating the British nation for the offences our predecessors committed around the world in the days of empire.

We hope that during Benedict's visit to these shores Catholics will be allowed to celebrate their faith in peace and without the distraction of abusive protests by those who know that there will be no threat of violent reprisal, however much offence they cause to the faithful.