Senator Benjamin L. Cardin, chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, or the U.S. Helsinki Commission, on Thursday presented a resolution to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee calling on the Turkish government to facilitate the reopening of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate’s Halki theological school without condition or further delay.
Saying that the patriarchate is an institution with a history spanning 17 centuries, serving as the center of the Orthodox Christian Church throughout the world, the resolution said the theological school of Halki had served as the principal seminary for the patriarchate until its forcible closure by Turkish authorities in 1971. Quoting Barack Obama’s “freedom of religion and expression lead to a strong and vibrant civil society that only strengthens the state, which is why steps like reopening Halki Seminary will send such an important signal inside Turkey and beyond” words during his speech at the Turkish Parliament on April 6, the resolution also stressed the “welcomed development” by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as he met with the patriarch on Aug. 15.
While welcoming the historic meeting between Prime Minister Erdoğan and Patriarch Bartholomew I, the resolution urges the Turkish government to facilitate the reopening of the patriarchate’s Halki theological school without condition or further delay and also urges the Turkish government to address other long-standing concerns relating to the patriarchate.
During his speech on Thursday, Senator Cardin also welcomed Prime Minister Erdoğan’s “we should not be of those who gather, talk and disperse. A result should come out of this” statement while addressing a large audience of religious minorities on Aug. 15.
“I remain hopeful and encourage Prime Minister Erdoğan to act decisively and without condition on this matter before his upcoming visit to Washington in early December,” Cardin concluded.
Established on Oct. 1, 1844 on Heybeli Island, or Halki in Greek, the Halki Seminary was the main school of theology of the Eastern Orthodox Church’s Patriarchate in İstanbul until its closure by Turkish authorities in 1971. The US government and European Union authorities constantly demand that the Turkish government immediately reopen Halki Seminary for use.
Established on Oct. 1, 1844 on Heybeli Island, or Halki in Greek, the Halki Seminary was the main school of theology of the Eastern Orthodox Church’s Patriarchate in İstanbul until its closure by Turkish authorities in 1971. The US government and European Union authorities constantly demand that the Turkish government immediately reopen Halki Seminary for use.
22 November 2009, Sunday
ALİ H. ASLAN WASHINGTON
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