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IT MIGHT BE TRUE, WE ARE CRUCIFYING THE PATRIARCH
Hurriyet
Dec 21 2009
Turkey
I don't agree with Foreign Minister Davutoglu. The patriarch is right.
The state, with its ignorance of a Turkish institution for 38 years,
has not been able to keep its word and has crucified the patriarch.
No offense, but the culture and custom of crucifying exists in our
state. It did not only apply it to the Patriarchate but also to its
citizens and institutions, and it continues to do so.
For those who don't know, Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew is a
leader who is followed by millions of Orthodox people from all over
the world and one who holds the international status of a patriarch
in the heart of a Muslim country. And we, who are supposed to be
proud of this, underestimate it by calling him a patriarch based in
Istanbul's Fener neighborhood.
As if we are asked or allowed to make a decision. Even if we don't
accept his ecumenical presence, Bartholomew is one of the most
important religious functionaries living in Istanbul. His international
influence is enormous and he can immediately reach any person he
wishes to reach. He is a leader for who millions of people get in
line to kiss his hand.
This country has lived with conspiracy theories for many years. The
Patriarchate has been viewed as an institution that sneaks plans about
dividing Turkey so Greece can invade the country anew. (!) When his
ecumenical presence is accepted, people thought the Christians would
create a Vatican in Turkey. This absurd theory was supported by the
state, military and some nationalists.
AKP's promises...
The AKP was the first to object. After Tayyip Erdogan came to power,
relations with the patriarch went back to normal. He often met with
the patriarch and promised to work - and actually did work - on a
solution for the Halki seminary, which persists since 1971.
Bartholomew's problem with Turkey, and maybe the sole problem, is not
being able to open up the Halki seminary. Because this seminary cannot
be reopened, no religious functionary could be placed in Istanbul for
38 years now. The patriarch wastes away with each passing day. Turkey
is forced to import external religious functionaries for the 15 to 20
churches in the country. The danger arises of leaving the Patriarchate
in the hands of externally educated Orthodox religious functionaries.
Please be informed that the Sen Sinod, which is considered the
parliament of the Patriarch, is in danger. It will not be able to
gather after a while because the number of religious functionaries who
are Turkish citizens is decreasing progressively. To bridge the gap,
we import religious functionaries from Greece and engage in deception
to naturalize them in Turkey.
Besides, the Halki seminary was closed in 1971 only to link other
religious colleges to universities, even though it was not a private
college. Other colleges that were closed at that time were linked
to universities and continued on their path, but the Halki seminary
never reopened. Despite the Treaty of Lausanne and despite it being
a minority right, we ignored our own signature. It could have been
reopened as a religious occupation school connected to the Ministry
of National Education. We did not reopen it.
For years, we waited for a response from Greece. We kept the Halki
seminary hostage, trying to force the acceptance of western Thrace
muftis being elected by the people.
This is our shame in respect to the patriarch. A great injustice. A
great despotism. This is the logic of interchange. And Erdogan was
the one to oppose this. I have witnessed it.
The AKP's Education Minister Huseyin Celik in his innumerous statements
said, "Leave it up to me and I'll reopen it in 24 hours."
He repeated persistently that this is a great injustice done to
the patriarch.
This logic won't lead us anywhere
So why can't it be reopened? All pious forces resist. And now we hear
the same reasons: "There is no mosque in Athens... western Thrace
muftis are appointed by the state... why should we in this case please
the patriarch?"
The Patriarchate is our own institution. And the patriarch is a
Turkish citizen. The Halki seminary will educate Turkish citizens
and be wholly under the supervision of the Ministry of Education.
Those in western Thrace are all Greek citizens. And as citizens of
Europe, they are in a position to pursue their rights. The patriarch
asks, "Is it my fault that there are no mosques in Athens or that
muftis are appointed by the Greek state?"
Now that's where the interchange logic surfaces. The logic is, they
pressure me and I'll pressure them. Whereas the one pressured is one
of us, our own citizen, and the Patriarchate belongs to us. Instead of
taking good care, we push it around. Bartholomew is a well-respected
and cautious person.
He always took great care to get along with the administration,
always praising Turkey abroad and acting like a Turkish citizen. He
never ever used the immense religious power on hand.
Can we expect them to understand us?
If today he says in daily Haberturk and on the American CBS television,
"Enough now. I feel crucified... I have no choice but to take this
matter to the European Court of Human Rights," then we need to pay
attention.
The patriarch calls out to Ankara and to the prime minister, who
he perceives as his friend. "Please save me," he says. He wants us
to keep our word, which was given years ago. Turkey won't gain from
crucifying the patriarch. On the contrary, we'd be humiliated. But if
it did the opposite and reopened the Halki seminary, it would provide
Ankara with unbelievable prestige, which doesn't cost much. And those
who criticize Turkey before Europe would shut up. Turkey would claim
its minorities, and understand its Christian citizens.
If we don't understand other religions, how can we expect Europe to
understand Islam? I am confused. How come the prime minister cannot
keep his word? Cannot overcome pious circles? Cannot show the same
amount of courage he showed in the Kurdish and Armenian initiatives?
Let's finally listen to Bartholomew. Otherwise, let's not get angry
if he goes before the European Court of Human Rights.
Hurriyet
Dec 21 2009
Turkey
I don't agree with Foreign Minister Davutoglu. The patriarch is right.
The state, with its ignorance of a Turkish institution for 38 years,
has not been able to keep its word and has crucified the patriarch.
No offense, but the culture and custom of crucifying exists in our
state. It did not only apply it to the Patriarchate but also to its
citizens and institutions, and it continues to do so.
For those who don't know, Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew is a
leader who is followed by millions of Orthodox people from all over
the world and one who holds the international status of a patriarch
in the heart of a Muslim country. And we, who are supposed to be
proud of this, underestimate it by calling him a patriarch based in
Istanbul's Fener neighborhood.
As if we are asked or allowed to make a decision. Even if we don't
accept his ecumenical presence, Bartholomew is one of the most
important religious functionaries living in Istanbul. His international
influence is enormous and he can immediately reach any person he
wishes to reach. He is a leader for who millions of people get in
line to kiss his hand.
This country has lived with conspiracy theories for many years. The
Patriarchate has been viewed as an institution that sneaks plans about
dividing Turkey so Greece can invade the country anew. (!) When his
ecumenical presence is accepted, people thought the Christians would
create a Vatican in Turkey. This absurd theory was supported by the
state, military and some nationalists.
AKP's promises...
The AKP was the first to object. After Tayyip Erdogan came to power,
relations with the patriarch went back to normal. He often met with
the patriarch and promised to work - and actually did work - on a
solution for the Halki seminary, which persists since 1971.
Bartholomew's problem with Turkey, and maybe the sole problem, is not
being able to open up the Halki seminary. Because this seminary cannot
be reopened, no religious functionary could be placed in Istanbul for
38 years now. The patriarch wastes away with each passing day. Turkey
is forced to import external religious functionaries for the 15 to 20
churches in the country. The danger arises of leaving the Patriarchate
in the hands of externally educated Orthodox religious functionaries.
Please be informed that the Sen Sinod, which is considered the
parliament of the Patriarch, is in danger. It will not be able to
gather after a while because the number of religious functionaries who
are Turkish citizens is decreasing progressively. To bridge the gap,
we import religious functionaries from Greece and engage in deception
to naturalize them in Turkey.
Besides, the Halki seminary was closed in 1971 only to link other
religious colleges to universities, even though it was not a private
college. Other colleges that were closed at that time were linked
to universities and continued on their path, but the Halki seminary
never reopened. Despite the Treaty of Lausanne and despite it being
a minority right, we ignored our own signature. It could have been
reopened as a religious occupation school connected to the Ministry
of National Education. We did not reopen it.
For years, we waited for a response from Greece. We kept the Halki
seminary hostage, trying to force the acceptance of western Thrace
muftis being elected by the people.
This is our shame in respect to the patriarch. A great injustice. A
great despotism. This is the logic of interchange. And Erdogan was
the one to oppose this. I have witnessed it.
The AKP's Education Minister Huseyin Celik in his innumerous statements
said, "Leave it up to me and I'll reopen it in 24 hours."
He repeated persistently that this is a great injustice done to
the patriarch.
This logic won't lead us anywhere
So why can't it be reopened? All pious forces resist. And now we hear
the same reasons: "There is no mosque in Athens... western Thrace
muftis are appointed by the state... why should we in this case please
the patriarch?"
The Patriarchate is our own institution. And the patriarch is a
Turkish citizen. The Halki seminary will educate Turkish citizens
and be wholly under the supervision of the Ministry of Education.
Those in western Thrace are all Greek citizens. And as citizens of
Europe, they are in a position to pursue their rights. The patriarch
asks, "Is it my fault that there are no mosques in Athens or that
muftis are appointed by the Greek state?"
Now that's where the interchange logic surfaces. The logic is, they
pressure me and I'll pressure them. Whereas the one pressured is one
of us, our own citizen, and the Patriarchate belongs to us. Instead of
taking good care, we push it around. Bartholomew is a well-respected
and cautious person.
He always took great care to get along with the administration,
always praising Turkey abroad and acting like a Turkish citizen. He
never ever used the immense religious power on hand.
Can we expect them to understand us?
If today he says in daily Haberturk and on the American CBS television,
"Enough now. I feel crucified... I have no choice but to take this
matter to the European Court of Human Rights," then we need to pay
attention.
The patriarch calls out to Ankara and to the prime minister, who
he perceives as his friend. "Please save me," he says. He wants us
to keep our word, which was given years ago. Turkey won't gain from
crucifying the patriarch. On the contrary, we'd be humiliated. But if
it did the opposite and reopened the Halki seminary, it would provide
Ankara with unbelievable prestige, which doesn't cost much. And those
who criticize Turkey before Europe would shut up. Turkey would claim
its minorities, and understand its Christian citizens.
If we don't understand other religions, how can we expect Europe to
understand Islam? I am confused. How come the prime minister cannot
keep his word? Cannot overcome pious circles? Cannot show the same
amount of courage he showed in the Kurdish and Armenian initiatives?
Let's finally listen to Bartholomew. Otherwise, let's not get angry
if he goes before the European Court of Human Rights.