“An anarchic way of preaching the Gospel with which we cannot agree”: that’s how Msgr. Georges Marovitch, spokesman of the Turkish Bishops’ Conference and secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Turkey, stigmatises the ‘missionary’ activities recently conducted by some Christian groups in the country. “During the last Christmas holidays the spokesman explains to SIR some Christian groups, apparently supported by South Korea, distributed copies of the Bible to passers by, causing adverse reactions among the public. We wish to have good relations with Muslims. This way of preaching the Gospel is one with which we cannot agree”. “In Turkey continues Msgr. Marovitch we have many churches and anyone who wants to can come in, meet priests, speak with them, and receive free copies of books or purchase them from Christian bookshops. The Bible is published in all languages. Its distribution on the street is an anarchic way of proclaiming the Word of God which arouses doubts and misgivings among Muslims”. The first consequence of such actions was that of the Presidency of Religious Affairs, which took a series of measures aimed at curbing the activities of these Christian groups. “To fund this campaign explains the spokesman the Turkish government has set aside a large budget”. The fund will serve, as far as can be gleaned from the Turkish media, to support radio and television transmissions, books, pamphlets and Cd-rom. “The risk we run says Marovitch is that episodes of this kind may be exploited by the minority that does not want Turkey in Europe, parading it as an example of the propaganda of Christian Europe. Turkey wishes to enter Europe. It’s a process from which there can be no turning back. We must be in no hurry. As Christian Churches we must show the real face of Christ to our Turkish brothers by the example of life”.
