The Catholic News Agency is reporting that the man who hijacked a plane over Italy did not do so in protest to the Holy Father’s visit to Turkey, but instead, he sought help as he did not want to fight in the Turkish Army.
The man, who would probably fit in well with the folks over at the Catholic Peace Fellowship, was about to be deported back to Turkey and arrested upon arrival for deserting his unit. As a Christian who did not want to fight in the Turkish Army, he had written a letter to Pope Benedict XVI and now wanted to try to reach him in person.
He has indiciated to the Italian police that he is seeking asylum.
While I don’t agree with his methods, I still feel for the fellow.