Funeral service for Bishop Padovese held in Turkey

(June 08, 2010) In Turkey, the funeral service of murdered Italian Bishop Luigi Padovese was held on Monday in the Church of the Annunciation in Iskenderun. Archbishop Ruggero Franceschini of Symrna celebrated the funeral Mass attended by a large number of people. Present also was the Apostolic Nuncio to Turkey, Archbishop Antonio Lucibello, several other bishops from Turkey, local authorities, including the chief of police and representatives of international embassies.
In his homily, Archbishop Franceschini encouraged the people to take heart and not be afraid. He said “Faith is the reason for our hope. No one will put out this flame, for it is supported by many martyrs and saints of these lands, by the Holy Virgin, patron of this community, but also, from today, by one more angel in the throne of God: our beloved Bishop Luigi." Archbishop Franceschini recalled the many accomplishments of Bishop Padovese, since being named Apostolic Vicar to Anatolia in 2004, including dialogue with Muslims.
63-year-old Bishop Padovese, who was the president of the Turkish bishops' conference, was murdered on Thursday in Iskenderun, hours before he was to travel to Cyprus for the apostolic trip of Pope Benedict XVI. Authorities charged the Capuchin bishop's driver with the murder - 26-year-old Murat Altun, who is said to be mentally unstable. After Monday’s funeral in Turkey, the bishop's body was to be transported to Milan, Italy, for burial. The funeral service in Italy is expected to take place next Monday, after Italian authorities conduct an autopsy.