On November 25, 2023, Antuan Ilgit, a 51-year-old Turkish Jesuit, was consecrated as the auxiliary bishop of the Anatolia diocese. He became the first Turkish Latin Rite bishop.

It was like the realization of a dream for many Christians who have been working for many years towards the rebirth of an indigenous Church: a Turkish Church for Turks, in the country where the disciples of Christ were first called 'Christians' (“It was at Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.” Acts 11:26). A true birthing process to which this event contributes significantly.

The cathedral of the Anatolia diocese, located in Iskenderun, 60 km from the city of Antioch, was completely destroyed during the great earthquake of February 2023. The ceremony took place at the St. Anthony Church of the Franciscans in Istanbul. Four buses filled with faithful traveled for 16 hours from Iskenderun and its surroundings to be present. The participation of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople in the ceremony, H.B. Bartholomew I, added to the solemnity of the event.

The Jesuits of Turkey were also gathered in full force. They too arrived by bus from the capital Ankara with a large group of parishioners. Among them, a Jesuit from the Province of South Korea who had arrived in Turkey only a few months ago to join the community: Simon CHO Chang-mo. Also present were our Provincial Michael Zammit and the President of the Conference of European Provincials (JCEP), Dalibor Renić.

As the Assistant to the Father General for the Middle East, I acknowledge the journey we have undertaken. I remind you that Pope Francis had insisted on appointing a new bishop for Anatolia following the assassination in 2010 of Bishop Luigi Padovese in his residence in Iskenderun. Thus, an Italian Jesuit, Paolo Bizzeti, was consecrated as the bishop of Anatolia in 2015. And now, eight years later, a Turkish auxiliary bishop, Antuan Ilgit, has been given to him. His first concern will undoubtedly be to work towards the reconstruction of the cathedral that completely collapsed due to the earthquake. At the same time, he will have to engage in the building of these 'living stones,' which constitute the true foundation of the Church in Turkey.

Needless to say, a significant responsibility now rests on the shoulders of our new bishop. This is to say that we want to assure him of the active support of the members of the Near East and Maghreb Province and, above all, of our prayers.

Fr. Victor Assouad S.J

Pictures by Nathalie Ritzmann