In the run-up to the Pauline Year, the bishops invite the Christian communities living in Turkey to "personally read the letters" of the Apostle, "to have them studied in the parishes, to cultivate ecumenical initiatives". "On our part they go on , we invite you to go as pilgrims to the places of Pauline memory, which we have the honour of owning in our land: Tarsus, Antioch, Ephesus". In their letter, they also give some practical information: "As the Catholic Church of Turkey, we will open the Pauline Year on 22nd June 2007 in Tarsus, with the Eucharistic celebration officiated by card. Walter Kasper". The solemn opening will be followed by a symposium on Saint Paul in Tarsus/Iskenderun (22-24 June). The schedule includes a national pilgrimage on the footsteps of the Apostle in Tarsus, Antioch, Ephesus. In addition, the bishops state that more initiatives "in cooperation with our Orthodox and protestant brothers" are in the pipeline, details of which will be available on the next few months.
