Pope Benedict XVI celebrates a Mass in the Holy Spirit Catholic Cathedral in Istanbul in December 2006.
For the German bishops, the matter has become a touchstone in the Church's relationship with Islam. A group of German leaders plans to travel to Tarsus in September. Cardinal Meisner already went to Tarsus more than half a year ago and held a church service there.
Meisner was horrified by the conditions under which Christians must live in the aspiring EU member. In 1920, 20 percent of the Turkish population was Christian. That figure has declined to only 0.1 percent today, and the state and local authorities make life difficult for this small contingent. The largest group consists of roughly 60,000 Armenians in Istanbul, who are barred access to higher government positions simply because the word "Christian" is stamped in their identification cards.
I know it does not matter much to most people but Paul was of the tribe of Benjamin, youngest son of Jacob.
Acts 11:1 I say then, Hath God cast away His people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
Thanks for posting the entire story.