ASIA/TURKEY - Ecumenism makes progress and hope grows for a visit by Pope Benedict XVI

Monday, 16 January 2006

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Istanbul (Fides Service) - “Ecumenism is making progress in Turkey and we hope this will continue and grow”, said Franciscan Friar Ruben Tierrablanca OFM., Superior of the International Francsican Fraternity opened last years in Istanbul. The local Franciscan and the different Christians in Istanbul are celebrating the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, here in Turkey 14-21 January. “Communion among the differnt communties is increasing - the Friar said. We are all committed to dialogue and common prayer so we may offer the world around us witness of unity in Christ”.
In view of exchange at the spiritual level, during the next Season of Lent Catholic men and women Religious present in Turkey will listen to meditations given by a Gregorian Armenian priest (Orthodox): an initiative highly significant for ecumenical dialogue which is sure to build stronger and deeper relations between the two communities.
“Catholic religious in Turkey - says Friar Ruben - are keenly aware that they have a mission of ecumenical and interreligious dialogue if they wish to bear witness to the message of peace and harmony which Jesus Christ offers the world”.
Moreover, according to the Newsletter issued by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Turkey, the Catholic community is gradually being accepted as “part of the nation” and no longer a “foreign body” in a mainly Muslim society. Recently in many recent articles in the local press Fr. George Marovitch, spokesman of the Bishops’ Conference often called to comment events or news, has been hailed as a “true friend of Turkey”: a sign of how Catholics are ever more accepted and appreciated in Turkish society. In the meantime in the media and in the whole country there is growing hope for a possible visit by Pope Benedict XVI seen as a great honour for Turkey. In fact the Pope initially said he wished to be present in Istanbul for the most important feast of St Andrew the Apostle, brother of Saint Peter (30 November). (PA) (Agenzia Fides 16/01/2006 Righe: 26 Parole: 266)