published two weeks ago . . .
http://nationalcatholicreporter.org/word/word090106.htm
Benedict XVI is set to visit Turkey in November, for those looking to descry omens, here's one that's not terribly encouraging: A potboiler novel currently on bestseller lists in Turkey titled Papa'ya suikast ("Attack on the Pope") predicts that Benedict will be assassinated.
Written by novelist Yücel Kaya, the book is subtitled, "Who will kill Benedict XVI in Istanbul?"
In a little more than 300 pages, Kaya manages to weave the Turkish Secret Service, the infamous Masonic lodge P2, and (of course) Opus Dei into his plot line. Inevitably, Mehmet Ali Agca, the Turk who shot Pope John Paul II in 1981, also makes an appearance.
All this might seem comical were it not for the fact that in the last seven months, three Catholic priests have been attacked in Turkey, beginning with the murder of Italian missionary Fr. Andrea Santoro on February 5. Bishop Luigi Padovese, a 58-year-old Capuchin from Milan who serves as the region's apostolic vicar, and who was Santoro's superior, has warned of a "rising tide" of anti-Christian propaganda in Turkey.
"There's a strong current of religious extremism, and that climate can fuel this sort of hatred. It's passed along in families, in schools, in the newspapers," he said in a February interview with NCR.
Church officials have nevertheless played down the importance of Kaya's novel.
"We have to understand this episode for what it is. We're talking about a work of fiction, and that's how we have to take it," said Archbishop Antonio Lucibello, the papal nuncio in Turkey. "We remain prudent and trusting. The Turkish government is doing everything it can to ensure that the pope's trip comes off without incident."
Thank you CallMeJoe for noting that the Pope "is set to visit Turkey in November."
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Note: The following text is a quote:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_2861.html
UBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Sat Sep 16 2006 11:46:18 GMT-0700.
Turkey
August 29, 2006
This Public Announcement alerts Americans to the continuing potential for terrorist actions against civilians in Turkey and notes recent incidents in areas frequented by tourists. This Public Announcement expires on November 1, 2006.
Between August 25th and August 28th, seven bombings occurred in the principal tourist areas of Turkey, injuring as many as 60 or more persons, including foreign tourists, and killing three Turkish nationals. These explosions occurred in Istanbul, Adana, and in Marmaris and Antalya in southwestern Turkey. The Kurdistan Freedom Falcons, also known by the Kurdish acronym TAK, have claimed responsibility for many of the explosions. The TAK, believed to be an affiliate of the Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK), a terror organization, also reiterated a public warning to foreign tourists not to visit Turkey.
The Department of State advises U.S. citizens traveling or residing in Turkey to exercise caution, and to closely follow media reports. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. These may include facilities where Americans and other foreigners are known to live, congregate, shop, or visit, especially hotels, clubs, restaurants, shopping centers, housing compounds, transportation systems, places of worship, schools, outdoor recreation events, or resorts and beaches. U.S. citizens should remain in a heightened state of personal security awareness when attendance at such locations is unavoidable. U.S. citizens also should avoid areas where crowds are expected to gather, as even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence.
U.S. citizens living or traveling in Turkey are encouraged to register with the Embassy or nearest consulate through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Turkey. U.S. citizens without Internet access may register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, at the Consulate General in Istanbul, at the Consulate in Adana, or with the Consular Agent in Izmir to obtain updated information on travel and security in Turkey. Embassy communications with the resident American citizen community, or "Warden Messages," can be found on the Embassy's website at http://ankara.usembassy.gov.
For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Cautions, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found. Travelers should also consult the Department of State’s latest Consular information Sheet for Turkey. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The U.S. Embassy in Ankara is located at 110 Ataturk Boulevard, tel: (90) (312) 455-5555, fax (90)(312) 468-6131. The Internet address is http://ankara.usembassy.gov.
The U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul is located at Kaplicalar Mevkii Sokak No. 2, 34460, Istinye, Sariyer, tel: (90) (212) 335-9000, fax (90) (212) 335-9102. Istanbul-specific information can also be accessed via the Consulate's web site at http://istanbul.usconsulate.gov/.
The U.S. Consulate in Adana is located at Girne Bulvari No. 212, Guzelevler Mahallesi, Yuregir, Adana, Turkey. tel: (90)(322) 346-6262, fax (90)(322) 346-7916, web site: http://adana.usconsulate.gov.
The Consular Agent in Izmir can be contacted at (90) (232) 464-8755.