Pope Benedict XVI hails bishop slain in Turkey as pastor of dialogue and reconciliation
By APMonday, June 14, 2010
Funeral in Milan for bishop slain in Turkey
MILAN — Pope Benedict XVI has hailed a bishop slain this month in Turkey as a messenger of dialogue and reconciliation.
The pope’s message was read Monday during a funeral service in Milan for Bishop Luigi Padovese, who was stabbed to death June 3. Turkish authorities charged Padovese’s driver with murder and said the motive was personal, not political or religious.
Benedict praises the bishop’s “firm commitment to dialogue and reconciliation.”
There have been several attacks in recent years on Christians in Turkey, a predominantly Muslim country where Christians make up less than 1 percent of the population.
The ANSA news agency says thousands of the faithful attended the service in Milan’s Duomo Cathedral.
