Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Istanbul (Agenzia Fides) – “We are filled with Christian hope that the blood of Mgr Padovese will not be sterile, instead it will bear fruit for a new flourishing of Turkey's Christian community”: said Dominican Father Lorenzo Piretto, Vicar delegate of the Vicariate Apostolic of Istanbul, while the funeral of Mgr Luigi Padovese Vicar Apostolic of Anatolia, killed on 3 June at Iskenderun, was taking place in Milan, Italy. “We were present in spirit, in communion with the many bishops, priests and faithful gathered for the funeral of Mgr. Padovese. In Istanbul we will commemorate the murdered Bishop with a solemn Mass in Holy Spirit Cathedral on 16 June, in the presence of religious and civil authorities”, Fr. Piretto told Fides.
He continued: “This is a time of profound sadness and great trial because of this terrible crime. Christians here are bewildered and wonder: why this murder? What does it mean? How could it happen? Who was responsible? On the part of the Turkish civil authorities we expect maximum commitment. While we ourselves can only remain in prayerful silence ”.
“However the Catholic Church in Turkey – Fr. Piretto continued – will know how to react to this loss. We are certain that the death of Mgr. Padovese will bear fruit for a new flourishing of the Gospel and for Turkey's Christian community in general. In this spirit on 16 June in Istanbul we will celebrate a solemn Mass for Mgr Padovese: united by new hope ”.
Present for the funeral of the Vicar Apostolic of Anatolia, in the packed Cathedral of Milan, were forty bishops from various parts of Europe and 200 priests, as well as hundreds of lay faithful. The funeral Mass was presided by the Archbishop of Milan, Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi, and representing the Holy See Archbishop Edmond Farhat, former Apostolic Nuncio to Turkey, who read out a message from the Holy Father. Benedict XVI commended “the noble soul of this beloved bishop to God's infinite mercy”, giving thanks for his “selfless witness to the Gospel and firm commitment for the mission of dialogue and reconciliation which marked his priestly life and his ministry as a Bishop”.
In an 'on the spot' comment, Archbishop Ruggero Franceschini OFM Cap, Catholic Archbishop of Smirne – recently appointed by Pope Benedict XVI Apostolic Administrator sede vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis of the Apostolic Vicariate of Anatolia – told Fides that during the funeral he “prayed with hope that things will change for Christians in Turkey”. Charged by the Holy Father with “the responsibility of a twofold service”, Archbishop Franceschini said: “The commitment is there, but we also need adequate means at the level of persons and structures”, renewing a call for more missionary presence in Turkey. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 14/6/2010)
