Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Istanbul (Agenzia Fides) – Bishops’ Conferences, parishes, movements, Church associations from all over the world are organizing pilgrimages to Turkey, to walk in the footsteps of Saint Paul. “We are seeing a real ‘boom’ in trips of faithful from all over the world who come to see the sites of St. Paul, to experience and live the spirituality of the Apostle to the Gentiles and reinforce their own faith. This is what Agenzia Fides has learned from Church sources in Turkey, who are seeing (mainly in Tarsus and Antioch) a large increase in the number of pilgrims, amidst a climate of friendly acceptance on the part of the Turkish people.
In the month of September 2008 alone, 31 groups of pilgrims have passed through Antioch and Tarsus: 11 from Italy, 6 from Spain, 3 from Portugal, 7 from Germany, 1 from Singapore, 1 from France, 1 from Jamaica, and 1 from Korea). The predictions call for an even greater amount, so much so that the Christian places for lodging are running out of room and people are having to stay in public hostels, run mainly by the Muslims.
As the Apostolic Vicar of Anatolia, Bishop Luigi Padovese, said, “it is precisely Paul’s universal character, the fact that he belongs to all cultures, that he made his message reach so far, reaching all men of all continents, of all times and of all religions.” He added the comment that this universality would be well-seen by the Muslim population of Turkey.
The climate that has been present in these first few months of the Year of St. Paul in Turkey has been positive and the Church in Turkey is taking advantage to live it as an opportunity to bear witness to the faith, in ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, especially with the Muslim world.
During the Year of St. Paul, Tarsus and Antioch are centers for spreading the spirituality of St. Paul, being visited by many youth groups, as well.
In Tarsus, the question remains open as to the Church-Museum dedicated to Saint Paul: the local authorities gave permission for religious celebrations to take place inside it. The Church in Turkey has asked permission to be able to use it on a constant basis, during the Year of St. Paul, for liturgical celebrations with groups of pilgrims.
In the meantime, the Christian community continues praying and reflecting on the text from the Pastoral Letter issued by the Bishops, recalling that “beyond the fact that we are Catholics, Orthodox, Syrians, Armenians, Chaldeans, and Protestants, we are Christians.” In the varied mosaic of the religious community present in Turkey, Catholics number nearly 100,000, about 0.8% of the population. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 6/10/2008)
