Italian Priest Adriano Franchini was stabbed following mass by a 19 year old assailant.  The attacker observed mass with the priest’s congregation but became violent and angry following a brief conversation with the Priest.  The stabbing was in the stomach and the injuries were not life threatening.

The stabbing follows a line of similar cases where Christians have been attacked in Turkey.  The recent string of attacks on Christian leaders began in February 2006.  A 16 year old shot a Catholic priest, while he was kneeling in prayer, in response to the European newspaper caricatures of the Muhammad.  There has been many more killings and attacks against priests and clerics in all regions of Turkey.  Recently, the gruesome killing of three Christians who throats were slit has undergone investigation to determine whether police officers aided the killers. (See story)

Christians comprise less than one percent of Turkey’s population.  However, the Christians are committed to staying in Turkey despite the attacks.  A catholic bishop remarked, “our will to remain here is stronger after these attacks. However, while the Turkish population is generally good, such events attest that there is a sick branch in the big tree of the local population.”  (AP)

For more information, please see:

AP- Priest Attacked, Hurt in Turkey- 17 December 2007

Guardian Unlimited- Priest stabbed after Sunday mass in Turkey- 17 December 2007

VOA News- Italian Catholic Priest Stabbed in Western Turkey- 16 December 2007