A necessary recognition

Establishing a bilateral commission between the Holy See and Turkey to analyse the “unsolved” issues as “the judicial recognition of the Catholic Church and her properties.” The proposal is coming from Benedict XVI who received 2 days ago in an audience the bishops of the Turkish Bishops’ Conference on their “ad limina” visit. “I know,” the Pope told the bishops “your desire and your commitment for a sincere dialogue with the authorities for finding a solution to the different problems your communities are facing, including the judicial recognition of the Church and her properties.” Such a recognition can only benefit everyone. There is room to hope that permanent contacts can be established, for instance, through a bilateral commission in order to study the unsolved issues.” In his speech, Benedict XVI stressed that “it is up to the State to ensure, in an effective way, that freedom of worship and religion is enjoyed by citizens and religious communities. Violence against believers is unacceptable, whatever their religion may be.” At this regard, Pope Benedict paid a tribute to “all the Christians priests and lay people who had testified to Christ’s charity until giving up their lives, like Andrea Santoro”.Tarsus, towards a solution. “We have seen some progress, especially for the Church of Tarsus, which we hope we can rent. The next few weeks will be decisive for a solution to the issue”. This was stated to SIR by mgr. Luigi Padovese, president of the Turkish Bishops (Cet), at the end of audience. “There have been contacts – explains Padovese – between myself, and even the ambassador of Germany delegated by his government to follow the issue, with the Turkish authorities. The solution to the problem is just round the corner, maybe by letting the church, a solution which the Turkish counterpart would not dislike either. Now we have to find a legal arrangement that can enable us to take this step. In the meantime, pilgrims keep arriving. We had a decrease in December but now the number is growing again. Pilgrims are coming from many countries, despite the global economic crisis”.A bilateral Commission. As to the establishment of a Bilateral Commission between the Holy See and Turkey that the Pope had suggested in his speech, the president of the Turkish Bishops Conference says he is “glad that that Pontiff mentioned it, as it belongs to a need for clarity which maybe it is time we had in Turkey. Over one year ago, we had submitted a similar appeal to the president of the Republic, saying we had to meet and discuss a few issues. We are an almost meaningless minority – states mgr. Padovese – but one cannot ignore we do exist. I think Turkey should begin to consider the minorities too. The Pope’s words may open and strengthen this dialogue that have already started with Ankara’s authorities for some time and that is giving, I insist, some positive results, especially for Tarsus. However, these protestations of good will now have to turn into facts”.Greater enculturation. Reference was made to Church pastoral action in Turkey. “Under this aspect – Padovese declared – the Pope exhorted us to work for a greater enculturation of our Church, which must not be ‘in’ Turkey but ‘of’ Turkey. The youth are to be included within this incisive pastoral action, however we must not forget that in this framework we are lacking new forces. Indeed, we are a minority and this affects also the presence of the youth. A series of initiatives for the youth are being planned: the youth pilgrimage to Tarsus and Antiochia will take place in mid-March, but we must cope with the geographical distances separating the different churches which prevent the development of mutual knowledge”. This situation also affects vocational pastoral care, since “we can’t afford to open a seminary”, the bishop declared. “This is one of pivot points that I wish to discuss with government partners, provided they accept to establish this commission. Turkey ought to be able to define itself as a Country where everyone has the right to live and profess their religious faith, but at the same time it ought to provide communities with the possibility to maintain themselves”.