In the name of Paul

In an interview to SirEuropa, the Secretary General of Turkey’s Episcopal Conference, Father Mauro Pesce , gives an overview on preparations for the Pauline Year which Benedict XVI will inaugurate next June 28 in Rome’s Saint Paul’s Basilica Outside the Walls. On June 22, the opening will be attended also by Turkey’s Premier Erdogan. Important joint happenings with other Christian Churches will equally mark the event. How are preparation for the Pauline Year proceeding? “The bishops recently diffused a Pastoral letter (cfr. Sir 6/2008), translated into different languages, on the figure of Saint Paul. We recently met with the President of Turkey’s Bishops Conference, Msgr. Padovese, with ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, with Armenian Metropolitan bishop Mesrob II, with Syrian-Orthodox Metropolitan bishop Mesrob II, and with Syrian-Orthodox bishop Yusuf Cetin, to verify the possibility of cooperation. All declared their full availability. So as soon as possible we will start planning concrete initiatives to this respect. We are considering setting up an ad hoc commission with other Churches. The Ecumenical Patriarchate will probably be represented by the Metropolitan bishop of Greek-Orthodox faithful in Italy and Malta, Gennadios”. Will this year be marked by a decisively ecumenical approach? “The progress towards unity is unceasing. This is evident in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which this year underwent a remarkable development. The opening ceremony was held in the Latin Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. While the last day, celebrated at the Fanar, the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, was scheduled on the commemoration of the translation of Saint John Chrisostom’s relics, donated to the Patriarchate by John Paul II. On the throne of the Fanar was placed a large icon of the saint with his relics while Metropolitan bishop Gennadios was given the honour of delivering a speech reiterating the need for Christian unity”. Do Pauline celebrations envisage a joint event with the other Churches? “We are planning a major pilgrimage to be held between September and October in Tarsus to give a credible testimony of unity. This is also a way to remember all the martyrs, like Don Andrea Santoro, who devoted their lives to dialogue and tolerance. Saint Paul is the apostle of the people and therefore there could be no better occasion to come together. The Apostle was born in Asia Minor. While here in Tarsus and Antiochia, the first Christian communities were born”. Ecumenical and interreligious dialogue cannot be separated from the reality of Turkey’s Church. Will you also involve Muslim leaders? “The Pauline Year is also an occasion for dialogue with the Government and with Muslims. The government is described as Islamic, but they are moderate Muslims. The concept of laity in Turkey is very different compared to the West. Here lay people are militant nationalists, who stand against religion in all spheres. Moderate Muslims, since they have a religious sensitivity, are much more respectful of values”. To this respect, what’s your opinion on the question of the veil in universities? “It’s important to allow individuals to freely choose whether to wear it. It shouldn’t be imposed on those who don’t want it”. You mentioned the relationship with the Government. What’s new in this field, which is always at the heart of Turkey’s Church? “We requested civil authorities to recover the cult of the Church of Tarsus, turned into a museum. Or else, to build a new one. Not long ago, the Cardinal of Cologne, Joachim Meisner, in visit to Turkey, speaking about the possible construction of a mosque in the German city, vouched the need to grant permission to the recovery of the Church of Tarsus, where a small community of religious lives, or to build a new Church for the coming pilgrims. The government, inasmuch as I know, gave its availability to cooperate”. On June 28, in Rome’s basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Benedict XVI will officially be opening the Pauline Year… “On June 22, the Sunday before the festivity of Saints Peter and Paul, the Pauline Year will open in Tarsus. We expect the event will be attended by religious representatives and by Prime Minister Erdogan”.