Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Istanbul (Fides Service) - In the presence of the Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor, Fr. Josh Rodriguez Carballo, a new International Fraternity Santa Maria Draperis was opened in Istanbul on 29 February. The Centre will promote ecumenical and interreligious dialogue. "My first words are words of gratitude to the Lord for calling us to work in this Fraternity which is to be a place of dialogue with Islam and with Orthodox Christians " the Minister General told the Friars.
With this initiative “you are called to respond to one of the most fundamental aspects of our vocation and mission as Friars Minor: to be channels of dialogue and communion with near and far.” The Religious of the International Fraternity in Istanbul, must be builders of bridges and communion because ecumenical and interreligious dialogue are part of the DNA of Friars Minor. The International Fraternity in Istanbul intends to be a place of prayer, a place of welcome and hospitality for all. While carrying on with the normal pastoral work the Friars will be available for liturgical service in the different languages and for spiritual direction.
The Fraternity members are Father Ruben Tierrablanca (Mexico), Father Gwnolh Jeusset (France) an expert on Islam, Father Claudio Ceccherelli (Italy), Father Jurgen Neitzert (Germany), who has experience in providing humanitarian assistance to Turks living in Germany and Father Eleuthere Makuta, (Democratic Congo). Turkey has a population 99% Muslim, Christians are less than 1%: some are members of the Orthodox Church represented by the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and the rest are Catholics of various rites, Latin, Byzantine and Armenian (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 4/3/2004; Righe 21; Parole 278)
