The Theological School of Halki is an institution of the Ecumenical Patriarchate – the center for the world’s 300 million Orthodox Christians. The seminary had been the premier location for training Eastern Orthodox clergy for nearly 150 years, however, Turkish authorities forcibly shut down the seminary in 1971. The resolution simply requires that Turkey allow its citizens and institutions to be free of harassment based on religion. The Theological School of Halki served to teach Orthodox Christian religious leaders from around the world and served as the 2,000-year-old Sacred See of the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s principal seminary. The Ecumenical Patriarchate is the spiritual home of the world's oldest and second largest Christian church.
In more recent years, the Government of Turkey has shown some good faith efforts towards allowing Christians to freely exercise their faith. In particular, the liturgical celebration by the Ecumenical Patriarch at the historic Sumela Monastery was allowed for the first time since 1922 in August 2010. Also, the return of the former Greek Orphanage on Buyukada Island to the Ecumenical Patriarchate was done on November 30, 2011.
However, although the government of Turkey promised to reopen the Halki Seminary in several occasions, such action has not taken place yet.
The American Hellenic Council applauds the action by the Foreign Affairs Committee and Mr. Bilirakis for bringing this to the forefront and we hope that HR 506 makes it to the House floor for a vote. It currently has 34 co-sponsors and we need the public’s support to gain more traction.
We hope that the renewed pressure from the US government will mobilize the liberal forces in Turkey and proceed with this important step for Orthodox Christians worldwide.
http://www.americanhellenic.org
