VATICAN - Pope tells Bishops of Turkey it is important “for Christians and Muslims to work together to promote humanity, life, peace and justice, The distinction between the civil and the religious sphere is clearly a value that deserves to be protected.”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “Your visit, that is providentially taking place in the year dedicated to St. Paul, assumes particular importance as you are pastors in the land where the Apostle of the Gentiles was born and where he founded many communities,” the Holy Father Benedict XVI told the Bishops of Turkey, whom he received in their Ad limina apostolorum visit on February 2. “I know that in your country you have given particular emphasis to this Jubilee Year, and that many pilgrims are visiting the sites so dear to the Christian tradition. My wish is that they may find easier access to those places which are so significant for the Christian faith, and to liturgical celebrations. I am also greatly delighted by the ecumenical dimension given to the Year of St. Paul, thus showing the importance of this initiative for the other Christian communities and Churches. May this year be one of new progress on the path towards the unity of all Christians!”
After recalling the long and rich history of the local Church in Turkey, which dates back to the times of the first Christians, the Pope wished “to also remember all the Christians, priests and laity, who have borne witness to Christ's charity, at times to the point of giving the highest gift of their own life, as did Father Andrea Santoro. May this prestigious history be for your communities - the vigour of whose faith and abnegation under trial I am well aware - not only a reminder of a glorious past, but also a stimulus to continue with generosity along the journey you have begun, bearing witness among your brothers and sisters to God's love for all human beings.”
The Holy Father thus showed the importance of “deepening the Church's faith and living in an ever more intense and lasting hope. In ecclesial communion the people of God will find an effective support for their faith and hope.” After mentioning how the Bishops are primarily responsible for the concrete realization of the community's unity, the Pontiff highlighted that communion must reign among them, and in the diversity of rites, it “is expressed above all in the true fraternity and mutual collaboration that enables them to carry out their ministry in a collegial spirit, strengthening the body of Christ. This unity finds a vital source in the Word of God, which the recent Synod of Bishops showed has great importance in the life and mission of the Church.” The then encouraged them to form the faithful “so that Sacred Scripture may not remain a Word of the past, but it may enlighten their existence and allow them to truly come in contact with God.”
The Holy Father offered encouragement to the priests and religious, many of whom come from other countries and must face an often tiring task of trying to integrate themselves into the local Churches, “ in order to offer all Catholics the pastoral attention they need, without forgetting the weakest and most isolated.” The number of priests, which is often not enough, should lead them to “the development of an intense vocations ministry.” Benedict XVI thus mentioned the commitment to youth ministry, which is important so that they can acquire “a Christian formation that will help them to strengthen their faith and to live it in an often difficult situational context,” and the formation of the laity, which should “allow them to use competence and efficiency in carrying out their responsibility in the heart of the Church .”
In concluding his address, the Holy Father affirmed: “The Christian community in your country, lives in a nation governed by a constitution that affirms the lay nature of the State, but where the majority of the population is Muslim. For this reason it is very important for Christians and Muslims to work together to promote humanity, life, peace and justice, The distinction between the civil and the religious sphere is clearly a value that deserves to be protected. It is up to the State to provide effective guarantees that all citizens and all religious communities may enjoy freedom of worship and religion, making any violence against believers, whatever their religion may be, unacceptable. In this context, I am well aware of your desire and readiness to open a sincere dialogue with the authorities in order to find a solution to the various problems your communities have to face, such as recognition for the juridical status of the Catholic Church and her property. Such recognition cannot but have positive consequences for everyone. It would be appropriate for permanent contacts to be established, for example through a bilateral commission, in order to study as-yet unresolved questions.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 3/2/2009)