A great testimony of faith

Over more than two months have passed since the Pauline Year was officially opened in Rome (June 28,2008 – June 29 2009) and Tarsus, home town of the apostle, is the destination of an increasing number of pilgrims coming from all over the world. In order to follow up close the first steps of this important event of the Church, SIR Europe interviewed Msgr. Luigi Padovese, apostolic vicar of Anatolia and president of Turkey’s Bishops’ Conference. After two months, how is the Pauline Year proceeding? “Since past June 22, when the Pauline Year was opened here in Turkey, there has been a constant flow of pilgrims arriving from Italy, Germany, Spain and France and from other countries worldwide. A day doesn’t go by that groups of faithful reach Tarsus, an amazing number compared to the past. However, there is also another positive element. Their presence gives visibility to Turkey’s Church and to Christians. Faithful come here to pray, and this represents a great testimony to the Muslim world. It shows that also Christians pray, they believe in God and hold an attitude of faith. It must also be said, that pilgrims also bring economic support which is of great help to locals. Then, there also is another positive note…” That is?“It is no longer necessary to pay a fee to enter a church, as used to be the case. As a Church we are not so much interested in the few Turkish liras for the entry ticket, rather, we are content with knowing that pilgrims feel they are entering a church and not a museum”. As relates to the Church-Museum devoted to Saint Paul, you had filed a request whereby authorities would permanently authorize the church to be a place of worship. Did you get a reply? “Authorities at different levels conveyed their intention of giving us this church, but up to now nothing has been done. We are waiting for words to be followed by facts. To date, we are granted full access to the museum, – the altar is preserved with the religious symbols, the cross and the icon of Saint Paul – but we ignore the response to our request regarding the church, which would serve all Christians in Tarsus. I wish to point out that foreign political authorities have devoted much attention to this issue. A few days ago I accompanied a delegation of German MPs to Antiochia and Tarsus. At the end of the visit, MPs asked to meet the vice-prefect of Tarsus to reiterate the need for pilgrims to see it as a place of worship, located in those places where the apostle Paul was born. There is also the request of a centre for pilgrims, which would be erected within the premises of an old wool factory, near the church, as suggested by the Minister of Tourism and Culture. Also in this case we’ve reached a standstill”. Could the Pauline Year extend pilgrims’ itineraries to Turkey? “I hope so, even though in my talks with pilgrims I felt that not all of them are aware of the importance that this land bore to early Christianity. The roots of Christian faith are certainly in Palestine, but the trunk extends in Turkey. This is where the New Testament was born while the great missionaries left from Turkey headed towards the Western world. I am referring to the apostle Paul, to Ireneus of Lyon who was born in Smirne and whose ministry took place in Gaul, the members of the small Christian community whose relatives live in Galitia, Ponto, Vitinia, Cappadocia, who Peter addresses in his first Letter. These elements testify to the importance of this land for Christianity”. What is scheduled for the rest of the Year?“From September on, exception made for a winter break, we expect an increase in the number of pilgrims. At the end of September the delegate bishops of the German Bishops Conference will be arriving, in Spring we expect the visit of the Presidents of the Bishops Conferences of South and Eastern Europe. While the students of the Pontifical Gregorian University will live their retreat in the next few days. The program is getting richer and richer every day”.