Turkish troubles: Vatican works to reinforce Christian-Muslim harmony

Published: 2006-02-10

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The killing of an Italian missionary priest has raised fears that Turkey, long one of the more moderate Muslim countries, could become a new home for Islamic fanaticism. Father Andrea Santoro, 60, was murdered in his church by a youth who yelled "Allahu akbar" ("Allah is great") before firing his gun, according to church officials in Turkey. The slaying deeply troubled Vatican officials, including Pope Benedict XVI, who will travel to Turkey Nov. 28-30 on what was originally designed as a visit to the Orthodox Christian community. Now, the pope has additional tasks on his agenda: reinforcing Christian-Muslim harmony in the country and explaining to the Turkish people why Christian evangelization does not pose a threat to their culture. It was unclear whether the priest's accused killer was influenced by the widespread outrage and demonstrations by Muslims over publication of European newspaper cartoons that satirize the prophet Mohammed.

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