Halki Seminary and Middle East Christians at the Heart of Bartholomew-Trump Meeting

The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew held a landmark gathering with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, bringing attraction to pressing religious, cultural, and geopolitical issues successful Turkey and the broader Middle East. The speech focused connected the reopening of the Halki Theological School, the presumption of Christians successful Turkey, interfaith dialogue, and ongoing developments successful Ukraine.

Warm Diplomatic Exchange

The Patriarch described the ambiance arsenic “very lukewarm and respectful,” highlighting the idiosyncratic reception by the President and Vice President. He expressed gratitude for gifts exchanged, including symbolic items reflecting religion and tradition. Bartholomew besides praised the Greek-American assemblage successful precocious authorities positions, noting their beingness successful the Oval Office during the meeting, including Mike Kratsios and erstwhile Chief of Staff Reince Priebus.

Halki Theological School: A Priority

The Patriarch informed President Trump of ongoing dialog with the Turkish authorities aimed astatine reopening the Halki Seminary. Efforts initiated by President Erdoğan impact the Turkish Minister of Education visiting Halki to conscionable with Patriarchate officials. Bartholomew emphasized the extremity of welcoming the archetypal students by September 2026, signaling advancement successful church-state negotiations. Christians successful Turkey and the Middle East

Bartholomew painted a stark representation of the Christian minority, present astir 1% of Turkey’s 84 cardinal population. He stressed the humanities continuity of the Orthodox beingness implicit 1,700 years and warned of ongoing diminution successful the broader Middle East, noting that pilgrimage sites whitethorn go museums if the inclination continues. The Patriarch urged President Trump to support U.S. attraction and enactment for these susceptible communities.

Global and Regional Engagement

The Patriarch besides addressed the concern successful Ukraine, recalling the granting of autocephaly to the Ukrainian Church six years ago. He framed the determination arsenic designation of the close of spiritual independency from Moscow, reflecting the Patriarchate’s committedness to justness and section ecclesiastical autonomy. Interfaith dialog with Rome was besides highlighted arsenic a continuing success, with aboriginal planetary theological assemblies planned.

Faith and Diplomacy Intersect

The Bartholomew-Trump gathering underscored the intersection of faith, diplomacy, and geopolitics. Through strategical dialogue, the Patriarch seeks to support number communities, beforehand theological education, and guarantee that the dependable of the Ecumenical Patriarchate remains influential successful planetary argumentation discussions. The Halki Seminary remains a awesome of resilience and a litmus trial for Turkey’s respect for spiritual freedom.

Source: pagenews.gr