Meeting of two worlds

“Istanbul, Meeting of Two Worlds” is the title of the book written by Rinaldo Marmara, cultural attaché of the Bishops’ Conference of Turkey, which will be presented in Istanbul on 10 October. Its publication marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Turkey, fostered by Mgr. Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, future Pope John XXIII, apostolic delegate in Turkey from 1935 to 1944. The apostolic delegation, now nunciature, where Roncalli resided, is located in the Sisli district of Istanbul. And it is thanks to its mayor, Mustafa Sarigul, “a man open to dialogue and loved by the minorities”, that the book has been able to be published. Apart from the introduction by Mayor Sarigul, the book also contains introductory texts by the Consul General in Istanbul Gianluca Alberini, by Mgr. Loris Capovilla, former secretary of the Pope, and by Archbishop Ruggero Franceschini, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Turkey. SIR Europe has interviewed the author, Rinaldo Marmara.What’s the origin of the title of the book “Istanbul, meeting of two worlds”?“Two Worlds, two Cultures, two Religions meet in this beautiful city situated on the shores of the Bosporus. Their meeting gave rise to official diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Republic of Turkey. The promoter of these relations was undoubtedly Mgr. Roncalli, who during his residence in Istanbul, as Apostolic Delegate, forged links of brotherhood and friendship between these two different worlds. After he became Pope John XXIII, the friendly relations between Turkey and the Holy See became real diplomatic relations”.What are the main questions tackled in the book?“In the book we discuss Roncalli’s stay in Istanbul as Apostolic Delegate from 1935 to 1944; and in the context of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Republic of Turkey we enumerate both the Apostolic Nuncios in Turkey and the Turkish Ambassadors to the Holy See. The period photographs in the book are the property of the John XXIII Association in Bergamo”.What does it mean to publish this book during the 50th anniversary year?“We wish to evoke in Turkey the memory of Mgr. Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, the initiator of these relations, who was a true friend of the Turks. The book is published by the Mayor of the district of Sisli, Mustafa Sarigul, where Roncalli lived. John XXIII was a friend of the Turks and of the whole of humanity, urging universal brotherhood from the land of Turkey where 800 years ago Mevlana, illustrious poet and mystic, had launched his appeal for brotherhood without frontiers: ‘Come… whoever you are come… whether you be infidel, pagan or idolater… come as you are’. The book, published by the Turkish government, through its mayor, is recognition of Roncalli’s work in Turkey, and is a sign of mutual friendship and brotherhood. We wish to thank Mayor Sarigul for the publication of this book. We hope it may be a seed that may generate brotherhood, cement of peace: the peace that the contemporary world so badly needs, as never before”.How can diplomatic relations between Turkey and the Holy See help the Turkish Catholic minority?“Cultural relations between Turkey and the Holy See can create a climate of friendship. This helps promote the relations of the Turkish government with the Catholic minorities. The recent visit, in late September, of the Prefect of the Vatican Apostolic Library, Monsignor Cesare Pasini, is a positive example of this aspect.Istanbul, and Turkey, are at the crossroads between East and West, between Islam and Christianity. What role can Turkey play in bringing these two worlds closer together, at a time like the present when societies, cultures and religions seem to be under growing pressure due to the global crisis?“Istanbul and Turkey play the role of a bridge between two worlds, two cultures, two religions. The book is the symbol of brotherhood between these two different worlds. The district of Sisli in the city of Istanbul is like a mosaic composed of different nationalities, religions and languages that live together. With the publication of this book, the mayor Mustafa Sarigul is continuing the spirit of universal brotherhood begun by Roncalli”.