This was stressed by the auxiliary of the Apostolic Vicariate of Anatolia during the Mass celebrated on the occasion of the feast of 29 June. The embrace between Catholic and Orthodox brothers offers “the opportunity to experience the joy of encounter”. The city remains in serious difficulties, it seems “hit by heavy bombings”. And the final appeal: religious and fidei donum are needed to help keep Christianity alive in Turkey.
Antioch () – “More than a year has passed since the great catastrophe” that “deeply marked our lives” and while “we mourned the loss of our loved ones, we also tried to heal our own wounds.” This was emphasized by Bishop Antuan Ilgit, auxiliary of the Apostolic Vicariate of Anatolia since last August, at the mass of the solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, when the bishop recalled “one of the two main feasts of the vicariate […] together with the Conversion of Saint Paul, on January 25.” In his reflection, sent to , the prelate explains that “although not everything has been completely left behind, we try to build our lives by linking each other” through “the faith ” and, on the other hand, “with the hope for the future that being survivors gives us.”
Monsignor Antuan’s words are at the center of the mass celebrated in Antiochheart of the devastation caused by the earthquake The mass of 6 February 2023, where the faithful of the vicariate (together with Tarsus) gather every year to celebrate the two feasts with their bishop, was celebrated on 29 June in the cave church of St Peter and was marked by an ecumenical prayer for unity and peace presided over by the auxiliary bishop, together with the auxiliary bishop of the Patriarchate of Antioch and of all the Eastern Orthodox, Kostantin Kayyal. “The religious men and women who serve the vicariate of Anatolia were present, as well as the Orthodox and Armenian priests who lead the communities in the area,” the prelate stressed, and the participation of young people was “very significant”.
“This embrace between Catholic and Orthodox brothers,” said Archbishop Antuan in his homily, “offers the opportunity to experience the joy of fraternal encounter” linked to the “deep ties” between sister Churches and the “determination to move forward together” united “in legitimate diversity.” “Despite the centuries that have passed, it is good that Antakya [Antioquía, ed] continue to maintain its identity as an open city, where everyone – he stressed – can practice their religious beliefs and where civil and religious authorities work together for peace.
In the afternoon, the Catholic community gathered in the courtyard of the Capuchins parish, on the reconstruction road, where the parish priest, Father Francis Dondu, and his confrere, Father Daud Moris, minister to the community for three days. a week in a very precarious situation. The celebration was attended by faithful from the cities of İskenderun, Adana, Tarsus and Mersin, a “first time after the earthquake at this ancient altar”, as Father Francis Dondu underlined, in which “it renews our hope to be able to rebuild.” During his homily, Bishop Antuan wanted to encourage the “small clergy” present, from the Capuchins to the Focolarinos, all coming “from the ends of the world” who at the price of “great sacrifices” and “great dedication seek to serve the Church of Turkey”.
“I am deeply grateful and thank you,” he continued, “for your humble presence.” The prelate then recalled the encouragement of Pope Francis “who from the day of the earthquake until today has never abandoned us to our fate,” recalling the importance “of the shepherds who offer their lives: of those in love with God” following the example of Peter and Paul. “Perhaps we are not asked to be put on the cross, but to be at the side of this population so hard hit,” concluded the vicar, “with few words but with great generosity. And this will be our prophecy that will once again change the history of this land so dear to Christianity.”
Finally, the prelate confided to some reflections on the situation in Antioch 16 months after the devastating earthquake of February 2023. “Antioch is about 60 kilometers from Iskenderun, seat of the Apostolic Vicariate of Anatolia”, and traveling the way by car , “I have confirmed that, despite the government’s efforts” to demolish the collapsed and unusable buildings, there are still “tons of rubble to be removed.” “The area,” he adds, “remains constantly under dust, which compromises the health of thousands of people who continue to live in containers and suffer from heat that reaches around 38 degrees, with 70 percent humidity.”
“In Antioch,” continues Mgr Antuan, “one still has the impression of being in a city hit by heavy bombings. If we do not count a few renovated buildings and a few metres of road, it seems as if nothing has been done” and it is increasingly evident that “it will take many years to reach a ‘new normal’!” and the cathedral itself is “still to be rebuilt.”
Thanking Caritas and the Italian Episcopal Conference for their help, the prelate admits, however, that “we do not have enough personnel to follow so many projects.” […] that prevent us from accessing funds and thus immediately reaching those in need.” And among the needy, the Christian population remains “always in the background”, with parishes without priests and without nuns to which are added the “enormous expenses” of bringing Therefore, to conclude, the prelate launched a call for help to “find religious men and women interested in working in Turkey, especially with young people, invite them to adopt our communities by covering part of the expenses that we have just mentioned.” mention, so that Christianity does not disappear from this ‘holy land of the Church’, as Monsignor Luis Padovese called it.”
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