For all Christians

On June 22, an ecumenical celebration to the presence of Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity will mark the opening of the Pauline Year (28 June 2008 – 29 June 2009) in Tarsus, Turkey. The Year was called by the Pope for the bi-millenary of the birth of Saint Paul. On June 28 His Holiness Benedict XVI will officially inaugurate the Year in Rome’s Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. June 21st is the day of Turkey’s Catholics’ pilgrimage to Tarsus, also attended by members of foreign Catholic communities living in Turkey. In regard to this important event, Sir interviewed Msgr. Luigi Padovese, President of Turkey’s bishops and Apostolic Vicar of Anatolia, whose jurisdiction includes Tarsus, natal town of the Apostle Paul.Your Excellency, the Pauline Year will be opening in a week. Is everything ready? “Almost: we just need to add the final details of the program. The participation of the representatives of the different confessions and rites present in Turkey is extremely important. We are only waiting to know who will be representing the government”. Can you confirm the presence of premier Erdogan?“We’re waiting for an answer. I sent the program of June 22nd opening celebrations. The final program, along with further details, will depend on government authorities. I have completed the liturgical and celebrative part of the program. We did however point out that the presence of the Prime Minister would be highly significant and greatly appreciated, along with the presence of all State authorities. Their participation would further highlight the significance of the Year. Just like the Pope’s visit shed light over the reality of the Catholic Church in Turkey, the celebration of the Pauline Year will emphasize the importance of this land for all Christians and for Turkish Muslims”. Why?“Many Muslims never heard about the apostle Paul, if they did they heard him described as the one who corrupted and deformed Jesus’ proclamation. Presenting Paul in strictly objective terms will benefit also the Muslim world. This Year will also be precious to recover the Christian roots shared by ecclesial communities in Europe and abroad. Turkey was the land of the first evangelization. Here, the followers of Christ were called Christians for the first time. Pope John XXIII, who lived here for 15 years, always had a special attention for Turkey, whose church he defined “my beloved bride”. What will happen during the opening ceremony?“It was conceived to be first and foremost an ecumenical celebration divided into two moments. The greetings of Cardinal Kasper will be followed by a moment of prayer led by each confession. The message of Ecumenical Patriach Bartholomew will be read. He is unable to attend the event since he will be in Rome for the official opening of the Pauline Year”.There is much excitement regarding the bi-millennary. However, pilgrims arriving in Tarsus won’t find the house of the apostle but not the Church which you have asked to build. Is its erection being planned ? “The home of Paul does not exist. There is however a well which is believed to be part of the premises of the home of the apostle. It’s a pious tradition. In fact, it is located within the very heart of the Jewish quarter of the city of Tarsus. We hope that State authorities will give us a church, since it is quite awkward for pilgrims to worship the apostle inside a museum. The request for a place of worship in Tarsus was put forward both by Cardinal Meisner from Cologne and by Turkey’s Bishops Conference. It’s important that the hundreds of thousands pilgrims have a place to worship and pray. The possibility of praying inside a church is not an act of grace but a right. In fact, a museum cannot bear religious signs. So that in order to perform religious rites we would have to bring all the religious symbols inside and then remove them. It’s a paradox”.Is Tarsus ready to host pilgrims? “Requests are increasing. I envisage a consistent flow of pilgrims, as has been the case for our house of Iskenderun. It includes parishes, dioceses, groups and movements. This area south of Turkey was never attended by many tourists so that this occasion is a positive event for us. However, hotel accommodation in the area is sufficient both in Antiochia, where a new hotel was built, and in Mersin and Adana. Tourists could also stay in Tarsus, but considering the vicinity of these towns it’s possible for many tourists to arrive at the same time”.