POPE'S TURKEY MISSION - Political Forum

CHUQ · #1 (**permalink**) 11-24-2006, 06:02 AM

Soon the Pope will be heading to Turkey in an attempt to mend the fence he destroyed by his inflammitory comments.

ATHENS, Greece (AP) - Ever since Pope Benedict wandered into the religious crossfire between Islam and the West, the Vatican has been busy trying to retreat to calmer ground.

Hardly a week has passed since the Pope's explosive remarks in September on violence and the Prophet Muhammad without some gesture toward Muslims, including a private papal audience for Muslim ambassadors and a highly publicized message of unity for Islam's holy month of Ramadan.

The big question for me is--will he succeed in his efforts?

Pope's dual tests in Turkey: simmering Muslim anger and EU wrangles | CP

Public_Enemy · #2 (**permalink**) 11-24-2006, 07:34 AM

I don't think that He has such aims, his main goal lining up with orthodoxy church for troubling Russian church and maybe Turkey too.

You know, Turkey doesn't permit orthodoxy church in Istanbul function as ecumenical, it is permited as a church just for othodoxes in istanbul and there are many orthodox churchs around Europe tied to Russian church instead of istanbul. He, Europe and USA want to change this.

For other Question, if He was previous Pope (RIP), he could recieve great respect in Turkey but Him, I am not sure.

CHUQ · #3 (**permalink**) 11-24-2006, 08:53 AM

I agree about this Pope, I am not Catholic so I may be mistaken on some of this. I believe he was in the Hitler Youth and he was the iron hand of the Vactican's justice org.

His statements from awhile back, lead me to believe he is just pursuing his own agenda and not one that would be good for the religion.

Public_Enemy · #4 (**permalink**) 11-24-2006, 08:59 AM

He also made statements directly against Turkey because of secularism, I don't know why did he that while Turkey maybe the only muslim country he can visit just because of secularism.

CHUQ · #5 (**permalink**) 11-24-2006, 09:02 AM

He seems, to me at least, to be a pompous ass, who thinks because of his standing can say whatever he likes and the faithful will applaud. He is like that obnoxious poster--I IGNORE HIM, for his opinions are cloud with racism and superiority.

CHUQ · #6 (**permalink**) 11-24-2006, 10:33 AM

ISTANBUL, Turkey (AP) - Police in Istanbul will do their utmost to ensure no harm comes to the pope when he visits the city next week, their chief said.

Turkey is expecting large protests against Benedict XVI, who angered Muslims with recent comments about Islam and violence.

Police will not intervene in demonstrations if they remain peaceful but will do everything necessary to ensure the pope's safety, Istanbul Police Chief Celalettin Cerrah said Thursday.

Just nother update on the Pope's visit to Turkey.

Istanbul Police to Ensure Pope's Safety | World Latest | Guardian Unlimited

Wii all this prep really protect this person if someone is determined to inflict harm? I think not.

Public_Enemy · #7 (**permalink**) 11-24-2006, 10:51 AM

I hope he would back home as healthy as he comes without troubling Turkey. Because I am sure many internal or external terrorists who want further problem between muslims and christians would see it as an oppurtunity. I know all permissions lifted in police from today for a Status-A protection. Even the airspace will be closed and secured by F-16s.

CHUQ · #8 (**permalink**) 11-27-2006, 05:03 AM

Saw on the news yesterday that 25,000 ppl were demostrating in Istanbul. Impressive. Will the Pope be safe? Is there enought police and army, if someone really wants to harm him?

CHUQ · #9 (**permalink**) 11-27-2006, 05:40 AM

Did not know which part of article was most important. It is pretty well written, but it seems to be a bit slantd, at least to me.

The Standard - China's Business Newspaper

Public_Enemy · #10 (**permalink**) 11-27-2006, 02:54 PM

More police will protect Pope Benedict XVI when he visits Turkey next week than were deployed for U.S. President George W. Bush, Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül announced on Sunday.

More security in Turkey for pope than Bush - Turkish Daily News Nov 27, 2006