Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Istanbul (Agenzia Fides) – “The celebration of the Year of St Paul was certainly a most significant ecclesial event for the different Churches in Turkey. The celebrations brought the different Christian communities and Churches together, making the event a precious occasion for strengthening ecumenism. Paul, the apostle of unity, was recalled as ‘Apostle of all Christians ”: Bishop Luigi Padovese, Vicar Apostolic of Anatolia and President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference assesses the past special ear of St Paul.
Christians in Turkey, the Bishop explained, have rediscovered their identity: “at the same time we can say that the frequent presence of Christian press, pilgrimages of young people, religious and members of other religions, served to promote reflection on the Christian identity which Paul so clearly announced and so strongly defended. In this mainly Muslim country, it is opportune to reflect on our Christian identity, avoiding the risk of false Irenism which signifies the loss of awareness of who we are”.
Bishop Padovese underlines the great value of pilgrimages: “One fact deserves to be highlighted: during this past year, thousands of pilgrims made their way to Tarsus and Antioch. This continual arrival of people, not tourists but pilgrims, had a most positive impact on public opinion and served to change in some, the impression that Christians are secularised, victims of wild consumerism and with no religious values”. “Therefore this Year of St Paul– he concludes – can be said to have been most positive. It is to be hoped that the door opened by so many pilgrims may remain open”.
Rev Mauro Pesce told Fides about celebrations to close the Year of St Paul: 27 June arrival of Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, special envoy of the Holy Father. June 28 at Antioch a solemn ecumenical celebration with the presence of Cardinal Tauran from Rome, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartolomeus and leading members of other Christian Churches and communities.
On 30 June an event to close the Year of St Paul will be held at Tarsus organised by the local Turkish authorities: songs and speeches, a concert in a spirit of interreligious friendship. At the same time in Iskenderun there will be the 13th International Symposium on St Paul, organised by Bishop Padovese and the Pontifical Ateneo Antoniano, with the presence of renowned theologians and lecturers from various European universities. (P.A.) (Agenzia Fides 24/06/2009; righe 31, parole 392)
