The Conference titled “Protection of Religions and Environment” within the scope of the 2023 International Human Rights Day, organized by the Dialogue Commission of the Izmir Archdiocese, took place on the morning of Saturday, December 9, at the Izmir St. John’s Cathedral.
Prominent among the guests were Karşıyaka Mufti İsa Gürler, İzmir Jewish Foundation Vice President Erol Amado, Alevi Dede Hayati Doğan, Anadolu Mosque Imam Cahit Sağlam, İzmir Anglican Church Priest Father James Buxton, Afro-Turkish Association President Şakir Doğuluer and Vice President Beyhan Türkkollu. Additionally, Slovenian Honorary Consul Mazhar İzmiroğlu and Georgian İzmir Honorary Vice Consul Makvala Kharebava also attended this conference.
After the Deputy General of the Archdiocese of Izmir, Franciscan Father Felianus Dogon, made a short opening speech, the Latin Catholic Archbishop of Izmir, Monsignor Martin Kmetec, gave a welcome speech.
After the refreshment break and fraternal sharing in the hall, Father Felianus explained the “Laudato Si” Circular to the participants with a slide presentation.
Among all the connotations the slideshow included topics such as: “What is happening to our common home? Pollution, water problem, loss of biodiversity, gospel of creation: Science and religion which we can enter into a productive dialogue for both, with different approaches to understanding reality; thoughts on “universal unification” and various quotes about our environment from recent Popes.
After the conference, Karşıyaka Mufti, Alevi Dede and Anadolu Mosque Imam spoke briefly; They expressed their hopes and wishes.
The event ended with Pope Francis’ “Prayer for Our World”.
(SAT-7 TÜRK/İzmir, Nathalie Ritzmann)
