Initiative of the Laudato sì Tierrablanca Centre in Turkey

From the 2nd to 6th September 2024, a meeting of the students of the Apostolic Vicariate of Istanbul was held on the initiative of the "Laudato sì Tierreblanca Centre, integral ecology and interculturality" of the Friars Minor of Santa Maria Draperis, in collaboration with the university pastoral care of which Br. Georges Misange OFM, of the International Fraternity for Dialogue in Istanbul, is a member. The meeting was attended by 33 young people studying in Turkey (in Istanbul, Ankara and Karabük, but who come from different countries (Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan). 

The goal of this first and historic event at our centre on the island of Büyükada was to celebrate the World Day of Prayer for the Protection of Creation. The theme "Integral ecology and the challenges of interculturality" was reflected and shared, and recreational evenings (with various educational games) and ecological walks were organized on the Princes' Islands, Büyükada and Kınalıada, during which young people were subjected to a series of games related to integral ecology and interculturality. For example, starting from our Laudato sì centre to get to the Orthodox monastery of St. George, young people had to pick up rubbish, take photographs of the sacred places and the different species of animals they encountered, and shoot videos with islanders and tourists who spoke various languages. In the walk in pairs around the island of Kınalıada, they shared the dreams, anxieties, joys, fears and hopes of today and the years to come with respect to the theme of interculturality and integral ecology.

The young people emphasized the importance of interculturality in the context in which they are called to live today, being foreigners in Turkey, and gave themselves the task of making an effort to break down the walls that separate cultures and all the obstacles to true coexistence. For example, the wall of monoculturalism, identity withdrawal, xeno-culture-phobia, prejudice and all kinds of discrimination. The main question was: how can we make our different cultures coexist? The debate focused on sharing expectations and experiences, hopes and fears about interculturality. 

Regarding integral ecology, Pope Francis' Encyclical Laudato si’ was presented, which the participants did not know about it. Starting from the spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi from which the thought of the Encyclical was born, following the technique of the revision of life based on seeing-judging-acting, the participants were made to understand that the text consists first of all in seeing, in becoming aware of what is happening in our common home (nature) and in denouncing environmental problems and the ecological crisis. Secondly, we need to discover the human roots of this crisis, that is, the responsibility of the human being with respect to the environmental crisis. Finally, it is necessary to invite humanity to act through truly concrete proposals for an integral ecology and an assured ecological education. 

These activities alternated with spiritual moments, such as the celebration of Mass, Eucharistic Adoration and the Liturgy of the Hours. In conclusion, the young people were asked for an evaluation to allow the organizers to think about future editions. 

A special thanks to Fr. Luca Refatti OP, and Br. Georges Misange OFM, organizers and chaplains of the University Pastoral Service of the Apostolic Vicariate of Istanbul, for their dedication and passion; to Lili, Georges Kalonji and all the participants of the course; to the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart for their participation and the offer of the space for fun. The young people expressed great thanks to the fraternity of the Friars Minor of Sancta Maria Draperis for the whole organization, the welcome received, their support and their interest in the theme of integral ecology, dialogue and interculturality. 

Br. Georges Misange OFM, Fraternità internazionale per il dialogo di Istanbul