Aree geografiche

Fr. Andrea Santoroa missionary killed in Turkey

08/03/2006
More than just a minor behind Fr Andrea Santoro's murder

The investigation has left some facts in the dark. The anti-Christian climate is growing, thanks to lies spread even by newspapers. There is a clash between those fomenting Islamic nationalism and others who want to see a secular Turkey as part of Europe.

04/03/2006
Fr Andrea Santoro: As if nothing ever happened

One month after the priest's murder in Trabzon, the country has all but forgotten the case. There is no news about the trial of the young killer; the only matter the national mass media persists in bringing up is the charges of proselytism against Fr Andrea. The bishop of Anatolia: this is only a pretext to feed an anti-Christian and anti-western controversy.

13/02/2006
Time for reflection in the Church of Turkey in the wake of Fr Andrea's murder

Bishop Padovese: "Whoever wanted to erase his physical presence does not know that now his witness is stronger."

10/02/2006
Cardinal Ruini announces the cause for beatification of Fr. Andrea Santoro

Celebrating the funeral mass for the murdered priest, the Cardinal speaks of the necessity to "reaffirm the right to religious freedom".

09/02/2006
Fanatics filled Father Andrea's assassin with (wrong) ideas
According to the Turkish press, the murder was not the act of an isolated gunman. The young assassin was linked to extremist religious circles. In Trabzon a town hall meeting condemns the killing of "a man of God".
09/02/2006
A priest is beaten in Izmir, to the cries of "we will kill you all"

This latest attack targets a Slovenian friar and comes  the same day the Vatican confirms Benedict XVI's visit to Turkey, scheduled for November.

08/02/2006
A moved Pope commemorates the sacrifice of Fr Andrea Santoro

Benedict XVI prays that the sacrifice of this "silent and courageous servant of the Gospel," "contributes to the cause of dialogue between religions and peace among peoples."

08/02/2006
So that Fr Andrea not be killed a second time
08/02/2006
When the children of the Black Sea are taught to hate priests

"A priest sighted", was how local newspapers reported on Fr. Andrea's visits in the area. In a special report for AsiaNews, an inside look at the anti Christian climate which nurtured the murder of Fr. Andrea Santoro.

07/02/2006
Ankara : To kill a man of God is Blasphemy

Turkey's deputy minister for religious affairs clarifies: Fr. Santoro's assassin knows nothing of true Islam.  A youth is arrested as investigations continue. "Muhammad does not need to be defended above all with violence".

07/02/2006
"Meryem anà": Fr Andrea Santoro's prayer to Mary
07/02/2006
Nuncio in Turkey : "there is a master mind behind all of this"

Fr. Santoro's assassin confesses and claims to have been provoked by the Muhammad cartoon strips.

06/02/2006
Fr Andrea Santoro's killer has a face
The man was caught on tape by a camera not far from where he was killed. Tonight a mass in memory of the priest will be celebrated in Saint Mary's Church, the same where he was murdered. A Turkish paper warns of a possible conflict between religions.
06/02/2006
Bishop Padovese: Fr Andrea killed, while Islam is in revolt, "not incidental"

The Apostolic Vicar of Anatolia tends to exclude motives involving criminals dealing in prostitution.

06/02/2006
Pope: May Fr Santoro "become the seed of hope for building authentic brotherhood"

Benedict XVI sends telegrams of condolences to Cardinal Vicar Camillo Ruini and Bishop Luigi Padovese, Apostolic Vicar of Anatolia.

06/02/2006
A volunteer in Turkey remembers Fr Andrea Santoro
He wanted to open a window that would allow Western and Eastern Churches to exchange gifts, rediscover the sap that flows from the Jewish roots into the Christian tree, encourage a genuine and respectful dialogue between Christianity and Islam, and enable him to bear witness through his life and feelings.
05/02/2006
Italian priest killed in Trebisonda
Country in shock.  Televisions speak of shame for the murder of priest from diocese of Rome.
05/02/2006
Nuncio in Ankara: Fr Andrea Santoro, a martyr for the third millennium
Fundamentalism among assassin's motives: the killer shouted "Allah akhbar, Allah is great!"  But it could also be revenge by mafia controlling prostitution.
05/02/2006
Card. Ruini remembers Fr. Andrea, "he wanted to be a witness to Christ"

With his death, states the Cardinal Vicar and President of the Italian Catholic bishops' Conference, "the name of yet another Roman priest is written on the long list of those who have spilled their blood to carry out the Lord's work".