U.S. 2017 Annual Report on the Status of Hagia Sophia and Halki Theological Seminary

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) issued its annual religious freedom report this past Tuesday, slamming allies and foes alike for their shortcomings.

Turkey is listed among others in the report for its treatment of religious minorities. Regarding the Greek Orthodox community, the report says the following:

Hillary Clinton's Letter to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

THE SECRETARY OF STATE

WASHINGTON

January 30, 2013

His All Holiness Bartholomew I

Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople

Istanbul

Your All Holiness:

It has been an honor working with you during my tenure as Secretary of State. Together, we have done a great deal to promote inter-religious and inter-ethnic understanding and to raise the profile of religious freedom issues in Turkey and beyond.

You are an inspiration to many with your contributions to the rich tradition of religious diversity in Turkey. I look forward to the day when Halki Seminary will reopen its doors as a shining symbol of religious freedom.

As I prepare to leave office, please know you have my best wishes for great success and happiness in all your future endeavors, and for the continued well-being of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

With warm regards, I am

Sincerely yours,

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Source

Turkish Committee Examining Halki Reopening

January 28, 2013

Ekathimerini

The Turkish government is examining at least two formulas for the reopening of the Greek Orthodox seminary on Halki island off Istanbul, the Hurriyet daily said on Monday, reporting that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has already appointed a new committee headed by his undersecretary, Efkan Ala, to hammer out a plan.

According to the front-page report, the theological school could reopen as part of a Turkish university institution, under the comparative religion department. However, that scenario is said to be unpopular with the Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarchate, as it would put the seminary under the control of Turkey’s Higher Education Board.

An alternative formula, Hurriyet reports, is to allow the Halki seminary to function as part of a foreign – possibly Greek – university. The move would nevertheless require an amendment to Turkey’s constitution.

The European Union has said reopening the Halki seminary, a center of Orthodox scholarship for more than a century until Turkey shut it down and confiscated in 1971, is key if Ankara wants to join the bloc. Washington has also pressed Turkey on the issue.