Turkish Christians are reeling from a recent attack on a Catholic church in Istanbul, leaving them bewildered by the circumstances. The attack, carried out by two masked gunmen during Mass at Santa Maria Catholic Church, resulted in the death of one person. Ali Kalkandelen, president of the Association of Protestant Churches, expressed the community’s unease and emphasized the need for heightened vigilance in the coming weeks. Archbishop Martin Kmetec called for improved church security and an end to religious discrimination in response to the tragic incident.
Christianity Today:
Kalkandelen said that amid the ongoing arrests, church attendance has declined. Families have kept their children at home, while new believers and seekers keep their distance. The TeK statement expressed condolences to the Catholic community, confidence in the authorities, and a plea to stop provocative discourse.
“This terrorist attack is obviously not an isolated or freak act,” stated the Protestant association. “From now on, the dark power behind it must be fully exposed so that it can no longer … terrorize Christians, minorities, and anyone with common sense.”
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