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POPE-BARDAKOGLU Nov-28-2006 (840 words) With photos. xxxi
In Turkey, pope offers friendship to predominantly Muslim population
By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service
ANKARA, Turkey (CNS) -- Acknowledging that his four-day trip to Turkey would be largely symbolic, Pope Benedict XVI opened his visit by paying respect to the Turkish state and extending a hand of friendship to its predominantly Muslim population.
On the plane from Rome Nov. 28, Pope Benedict told reporters, "We must not exaggerate; one cannot expect great results in just three days. The value (of the trip) I would say is symbolic, the fruit of the encounters themselves, of encounters in friendship and respect."
The pope's first formal speech in Turkey came in an address at the government's religious affairs directorate, which controls Turkey's mosques and Muslim schools and implements government policy on religion.
Before giving their speeches in the building's auditorium, Pope Benedict and Ali Bardakoglu, the office's director, met for about half an hour with members of the papal entourage and Turkish Muslim officials, including the grand muftis of Ankara and Istanbul.
They spoke calmly and warmly of their visions of the importance of interreligious dialogue and greater understanding between Catholics and Muslims.
During the conversation, the pope told his Muslim hosts: "There are so many wars, so much human blood shed every day. Religion should be a force of peace and reconciliation."
In the wake of continuing anger among some Muslims over the pope's use of a quotation criticizing Islam in September, Pope Benedict used his speech at the religious affairs directorate to pay his respects to the positive values promoted by Islam and to affirm the Catholic Church's commitment to Christian-Muslim dialogue.
Bardakoglu also stressed the importance of dialogue and respect, but took to task those Christians who, under what he described as the effects of "Islamophobia," believe that Islam is a violent faith spread throughout history by the sword.
Islam, he said, is a religion of peace, and it condemns terrorism and any taking of an innocent life.
Rising prejudice, Bardakoglu said, feeds the hatred of those who misuse religion for political purposes and invoke religion as an excuse for their violence.
The brownstone building where he and the pope met had been the scene of a small anti-papal protest hours before the pope's arrival. Turkish police and military with riot gear and armored personnel carriers were on hand to ensure nothing interrupted the pope's visit.
Intercultural and interreligious dialogue, the pope said, "cannot be reduced to an optional extra," but is an obligation of religious leaders.
Pope Benedict, offering a basic introduction to the Second Vatican Council's teaching on relations with the world's great religious traditions, pointed out that both Christians and Muslims believe in "the truth of the sacred character and dignity of the human person."
Both faiths profess belief in one God, and both teach their followers that all human beings were created by God and that being at home with God is the goal of each person's earthly pilgrimage.
"This human and spiritual unity in our origins and destiny impels us to seek a common path as we play our part in the quest for fundamental values so characteristic of the people of our time," he said.
Together, the pope said, Christians and Muslims must witness to the fact that being created by God and destined to eternity with him can give meaning to people's lives and that when they recognize the truth of God's existence they will live in a way that will benefit all people and the earth itself.
"We are called to work together, so as to help society to open itself to the transcendent, giving almighty God his rightful place," the pope said.
"The best way forward," he told the Muslim leaders, "is via authentic dialogue between Christians and Muslims, based on truth and inspired by a sincere wish to know one another better, respecting differences and recognizing what we have in common."
The pope ended his address with a prayer that Christians and Muslims would persevere along the path of dialogue "in respect and friendship. May we come to know one another better, strengthening the bonds of affection between us in our common wish to live together in harmony, peace and mutual trust."
Bardakoglu echoed the main themes of Pope Benedict's speech, especially the assertion that when followed faithfully religions are "the source of peace and well-being."
But too often, he said, people give greater importance to belonging to a specific religion than to recognizing that all people are "the children of Adam."
Bardakoglu said he, the pope and other religious leaders have an obligation to guide members of their communities in preserving their own traditions while recognizing that "all such religious, ethnic and cultural differences are the revelation of divine love, mercy and wisdom."
He particularly asked for Catholic-Muslim cooperation in addressing the world's "ethical and moral crisis," especially as it applies to family values.
The religious affairs director hailed the pope's visit as "a positive step" toward reconciliation and toward the building of "mutual respect, justice and equality."
END
Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
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