3 CWNews headlines (More absent turkey leaders, blunt words from Benedict, Christians in Turkey)

CWNews:

• Christian flight from Turkey has halted, prelate reports: [no, not "flight" as in airplanes but as in "escape for persecution"] ... "Cardinal Daoud will be a member of the delegation traveling to Turkey with the Holy Father, along with four other cardinals: Tarcisio Bertone, the Secretary of State; Walter Kasper, the president of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity; Paul Poupard, the president of the Pontifical Council for Culture; and Roger Etchegaray, a retired Vatican official who has frequently served as a special representative of the Holy See in delicate diplomatic circumstances."
• Blunt papal words for Anglican leader: "Today, however, there are "strains and difficulties" in the relationship [between Catholics and Anglicans], the Pope observed-- adding that there are strains within the Anglican communion as well. The source of these problems, the Pope continued, are recent trends in Anglican thought and practice "especially concerning the ordained ministry and certain moral teachings." He was clearly referring to the Anglican decisions on homosexuality and on the ordination of women. The Pope concluded his blunt appraisal of current tensions by expressing his "fervent hope that the Anglican Communion will remain grounded in the Gospels and the apostolic tradition."
• Declare Islam peaceful, Turkish leader urges Pope: "Meanwhile the country's foreign minister, Abdullah Gul, has added his name to the list of government officials who will be unavailable to meet with Pope Benedict. The foreign minister explained that he will be attending a meeting of NATO leaders in Estonia. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has already announced his plans to be at the NATO meeting during the Pope's visit. Vatican officials had downplayed the significance of the premier's absence, saying that they were always aware of Erdogan's plans to be in Estonia. But organizers of the papal visit had expected a meeting with the foreign minister. Pope Benedict is still scheduled to meet with Turkey's President Necdet Sezer on the first evening of his stay in the country. The Turkish head of state will not meet the papal plane on his arrival, however. Turkish officials have consistently minimized the importance of the papal visit."