Following the Council’s path

Demonstrations and protests are keeping tension high in Turkey in the run up to the apostolic journey of Benedict XVI to the country (28 November-1st December). They include even sensational events like that staged by the militants of the ultra-nationalist BHP party, close to the terrorist organization “grey wolves” to which the would-be assassin of John Paul II, Alì Agca, belonged: they occupied the cathedral of Santa Sofia, now a museum. “I continue to consider these events episodic and limited; they do not place in question the substance and the climate of the Pope’s visit, which we predict will take place in a serene way”, commented the Director of the Vatican Press Room, Father Federico Lombardi, who said he was not surprised by the protests of the Grey Wolves, since “we know that groups that are not favourable to the Pope’s visit do exist. But they are episodes we should not overvalue”. During his visit, on 30 November, the Pope will have the opportunity to meet the Jewish community in the person of the chief rabbi of Istanbul, ISAAC HALEVA , whom SIR has interviewed. Jews, Christians and Catholics represent a tiny minority in Turkey, a country that aspires to join the European Union. In this regard, the issue of religious freedom still represents a sticking point. Could the Pope’s visit improve the situation? “We know very well that our country, Turkey, is overwhelmingly Islamic with just a small non-Muslim minority, represented by us Jews and by Christians. We also know that the Turkish Constitution is secular and does not admit constitutional and social differences between the believers of the various faiths. This permits all those who live in the territory of the Turkish Republic to widely enjoy legal and social freedom, as also freedom of religion, both in freedom of worship and respect for the religious precepts of the various faiths, and in the running of their own religious institutions and schools. This state of affairs has been in force, without interruption, since the birth of the Republic established by the famous general Ataturk. And it makes no difference if the party currently in power is of Islamic inspiration. Turkey is a country of freedom for minorities and this freedom is progressively being widened”. In recent days, and also in recent weeks, Turkish nationalists and Islamic fundamentalists have demonstrated vehemently against this journey that takes on even added significance just for this reason… “It will be a visit of great historic value, since it is taking place at a time of conflict between Western and Eastern culture, if not also between Christian and Islamic faith. Benedict XVI’s visit to Turkey has the same significance and value as that of John Paul II (1979) or that of John XXIII [Cardinal Roncalli had spent ten years as papal representative in Turkey]. Ever since Vatican II’s Declaration “Nostra Aetate” (on the Church’s relation to non-Christian religions), the attitude of the Holy See to Judaism and Islam has changed; it has attained a realism that responds to the needs of our age and the achievement of human peace. I don’t doubt the Pope, just like his predecessors, will follow the path traced by the Council”. What does the Turkish Jewish community hope from this apostolic visit? “I hope that this journey will be fruitful and will serve to build a bridge of friendship and brotherhood between the cultures that are now in conflict, because there can be no global peace until the religions establish peace among each other”. The presence of the Pope in Turkey comes three years after the terrorist attacks on the synagogues of Istanbul. “Dialogue is the one means and remedy for everyone to attain global peace between cultures and religions. That’s why we must continue to dialogue in spite of the misunderstandings and differences that exist and raise our prayer to the Almighty. Shalom, peace to the whole world”. The programme of the jourey The Pope’s departure is fixed or Tuesday 28 November (9.00) from Rome’s Fiumicino Airport, in a flight bound for the Turkish capital Ankara, where his arrival is scheduled for 13.00. This will be followed by a visit to the Mausoleum of Atatürk, welcoming ceremony and visit to the President of the Republic, meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister, with the President for Religious Affairs, and then with the Diplomatic Corps. On the following day, 29 November, the Pope will celebrate Mass at Ephesus and then travel to Istanbul, for a prayer visit to the patriarchal church of St. George and a private meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I. The events planned for 30 November are: “Divine Liturgy” in the patriarchal church of St. George, visit to the museum of Santa Sofia, prayer visit to the apostolic Armenian cathedral and meeting with Patriarch Mesrob II and with the Syro-Orthodox Metropolitan, followed by a meeting with the Chief Rabbi of Turkey. On 1st December the Pope will celebrate mass in the cathedral of the Holy Spirit and then leave for Rome at 13.15.