Loading
Pope trip will not heal wounds, says Turkey’s religious head

.- Turkey’s head of religious affairs says the Pope’s visit to Turkey later this month may help improve relations with Muslims, but he does not believe it will heal the wounds stemming from the Pontiff’s misinterpreted remarks about Islam in September.

"Peace is destroyed in a second but it takes a lot of time, a long process, to build it," Ali Bardakoglu told the Italian La Stampa newspaper

Bardakoglu said he has no concerns about the Pope’s safety during his visit to Turkey Nov. 28-Dec. 1, despite recent protests.

The focus of the Pope’s trip to Turkey was supposed to be discussions on Christian unity with the spiritual head of the world's Orthodox Christians, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. However, the controversy that emerged in September may overshadow the visit.

Bardakoglu, who is scheduled to meet Benedict during his visit, says he believes the trip “will be a good step in the direction of dialogue.”

The Pope has repeatedly expressed regret for the reaction to a speech he gave at the University of Regensburg, in which he quoted 14th-century Byzantine emperor who said the Islam was “spread by the sword”.

While Bardakoglu says he has accepted the Pope's expressions of regret, he believes the comments were "unacceptable" and that the incorrect comments must be corrected.

"But these are things of the past. We're looking ahead," he was quoted as saying.

RESOURCES »

Feb
12

Liturgical Calendar

February 12, 2012

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

All readings:
Today »
This year »

Catholic Daily

Gospel of the Day

Mk 1,40-45

Gospel
Date
02/12/12
02/11/12
02/10/12

Daily Readings


First Reading:: Lev 13:1-2, 44-46
Second Reading:: 1 Cor 10:31-11:1
Gospel:: Mk 1:40-45

Saint of the Day

St. Julian the Hospitaller »

Saint
Date
02/10/12

Homily of the Day

Mk 1,40-45

Homily
Date
02/12/12
02/11/12
02/10/12

Most Popular

     HTML
Text only
Headlines
  

Follow us: