Nexus of Queens


Published by the Queens Federation of Churches

Turkish Foreign Minister Visits Ecumenical Patriarchate

March 8, 2012

The Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu visited the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople on 3 March in Istanbul, Turkey. He met with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I in order to discuss the need for "harmony" and "mutual trust among the religious and national groups," a gesture greatly appreciated by the World Council of Churches (WCC).

The patriarch expressed his satisfaction over this visit, hoping that the pending issues concerning the Ecumenical Patriarchate and other Christian religious minorities in Turkey will soon be resolved.

The Ecumenical Patriarchate enjoys a "primacy of honour" among the Orthodox churches, related to the ancient status of Constantinople as capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Following his visit to the patriarch, Davutoglu said, "What the world, and especially this region, need more than everything is harmony, the will for cohabitation and mutual trust among religious and national groups."

In appreciation of the foreign minister's visit, Bartholomew I said, "This visit, like last year's visit by the vice-president of the government and other officials of the Turkish Republic, testifies to the fact that the attitudes of the state, of today's government, towards the historical institution of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, has changed for the better."

In May 2010, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a decree ordering local officials "to do more to protect the rights of Christian and non-Muslim religious minorities, such as by returning their confiscated properties and taking action against anti-Christian groups."

Bartholomew I said that the "old prejudices are gone" and political willingness to address the issues is prevailing. In this framework, he said, "we are optimistic and we expect that our pending problems will also be solved."

The WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit appreciated the Turkish government's efforts in reaching out to the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

"We are encouraged to hear about the visit of the Turkish foreign minister to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and other religious communities' leaders. We, on behalf of our churches, have strongly advocated for the protection of the rights of Christians and religious minorities in Turkey and elsewhere," said Tveit.

In March 2010, the WCC general secretary visited the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

"After my visit to the Ecumenical Patriarch, I had strongly advocated for the reopening of the Theological School of Halki," he added.

"We hope that these discussions are a significant step forward to resolve the issues and contribute to religious harmony, acceptance and mutual trust in the country. This could be a contribution to similar developments in other states as well," said Tveit.