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GREEK PATRIARCH URGES RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR TURKEY'S MINORITIES
PanARMENIAN.Net
February 20, 2012 - 17:51 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I said the
new Turkish constitution should grant greater religious freedom to
the country's minorities after he paid a landmark visit to a Turkish
parliamentary commission working on the new document.
On Monday, Feb 20, Patriarch Bartholomew I met with members of a
parliamentary subcommittee seeking an all-party consensus for a new
constitution, which will replace the one ratified in 1982 while the
country was under military rule.
Bartholomew told reporters after speaking to the commission that
he favors a constitution that promotes equal rights and religious
freedoms, including the reopening of a Greek Orthodox seminary that
has trained generations of patriarchs.
"We do not want to be second-class citizens. Unfortunately, minorities
have faced many injustices so far. These are gradually being corrected,
changed. A new Turkey is emerging. We never lost hope. We are now very
happy. We are sure that our ideas will be taken into consideration
as we want nothing more than our rights as Turkish citizens," he said.
The Greek patriarch added that he attaches much importance to an
invitation from Turkish Parliament for him to meet with Constitutional
Commission members, noting that they want the new constitution to be
the constitution of all in Turkey, Today's Zaman reported.
From: Baghdasarian
PanARMENIAN.Net
February 20, 2012 - 17:51 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I said the
new Turkish constitution should grant greater religious freedom to
the country's minorities after he paid a landmark visit to a Turkish
parliamentary commission working on the new document.
On Monday, Feb 20, Patriarch Bartholomew I met with members of a
parliamentary subcommittee seeking an all-party consensus for a new
constitution, which will replace the one ratified in 1982 while the
country was under military rule.
Bartholomew told reporters after speaking to the commission that
he favors a constitution that promotes equal rights and religious
freedoms, including the reopening of a Greek Orthodox seminary that
has trained generations of patriarchs.
"We do not want to be second-class citizens. Unfortunately, minorities
have faced many injustices so far. These are gradually being corrected,
changed. A new Turkey is emerging. We never lost hope. We are now very
happy. We are sure that our ideas will be taken into consideration
as we want nothing more than our rights as Turkish citizens," he said.
The Greek patriarch added that he attaches much importance to an
invitation from Turkish Parliament for him to meet with Constitutional
Commission members, noting that they want the new constitution to be
the constitution of all in Turkey, Today's Zaman reported.
From: Baghdasarian