Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Antioch (Agenzia Fides) - In view of a visit by Pope Benedict XVI to Turkey Catholics are intensifying ecumenical and inter-religious relations. An occasion of this slow but sure movement towards unity- which makes progress despite difficulties and sadness for certain events - was the recent feast of Saints Peter and Paul on 29 June celebrated with special devotion by Christians in Antioch on the Orontes, which is the “Antioch in Syria” mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles.
On this date in particular special prayers are held in front of the ancient rupestrian church dedicated to St Peter: “Again this year we were joined by a Greek Orthodox brothers and sisters for in an atmosphere of unity for the traditional prayer in the presence of city authorities, different Christians as well as Muslims”, Fides was told by Italian Capuchin missionary Fr. Domenico Bertogli. Also present professors, theologians and experts who had taken part in the 10th Tarsus-Antioch Symposium recently held in Iskenderun.
In the early evening there was a special Mass celebrated by three bishops, about fifteen priests and a large crowd of faithful from Mersin and Iskenderun. Archbishop Antonio Lucibello the new nuncio to Turkey came from Ankara with the Apostolic vicar Bishop Luigi Padovese and Maronite Bishop Joseph Anis Abi Aad of Aleppo.
“We are aware that when the Pope visits Turkey (probably in late November) he will not come to Antioch, for logistic difficulties and short and time. However in spirit Christians here, where followers of Christ were called ‘Christians’ for the first time, will welcome and pray with the Successor of Peter. We will pray with our Eastern Christian brothers and with the no less than five patriarchs of this city. It will be a wonderful sign of ecumenism”, says Fr. Bertogli.
“The longing for unity is keenly felt in this part of the world - the missionary concluded - this is an aspiration of the gospel which cannot be ignored by those who are able to act. The faithful know no divisions: we all hope the Pope’s visit will accelerate this journey towards unity . We pray Saints Peter and Paul to help us in this drawing close which is ever more urgent. Antioch in 2006 has made its small contribution pointing to the right path”.
In early Christian times Antioch, capital of the Roman province of Syria was the third most important Roman city with Rome and Alexandria , with a population of almost one million people. Today it is a town with a population of 200,000 people. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 10/7/2006 righe 31 parole 314)
