He is the Patriarch of the Oecumene, and that includes very large portions of the world outside of Turkey
Can a patriarchate be relocated within the same territory?
It is beyond any argument that I can fathom that our government should call on the howling Mohammedans of the Turkish government to free the Patriarchate and allow that institution and the person of the Patriarch to fulfill its appropriate functions both in Turkey and in the world.
Do you suppose this bill is simply a formality, much like previous ones that decried the forced abortions in China or lack of religious freedom in the USSR?
At present there are about 2000 Greek Orthodox in all of Turkey, most of them very old. By limiting the eligible candidates for the Patriarchial Throne to Turkish citizens by law, the seat will become vacant within, say, 30 years.
We know from history what happens in similar situations. These "churches" go underground. Let us all pray for these persecuted christians and their priests who risk their lives to say liturgy and deliver the sacraments to their dwindling congregations.
"Quick question ....
He is the Patriarch of the Oecumene, and that includes very large portions of the world outside of Turkey
Can a patriarchate be relocated within the same territory? "
I suppose so. He could move to Mount Athos for example. That's what happened relatively recently with the Patriarchate of Antioch moving to Damascus. And after the sack of Constantinople by the Crusaders and the enthronement of a "Latin Patriarch", the Patriarchate reestablished itself at Nicea until the Latins were driven out. But this time it means the end the See of Constantinople. Probably the Pope could move to, say, Mexico City. He'd still be the Pope of Rome, but it sure wouldn't be the same, would it.
As for The Church going underground, well there has been an underground church in Turkey for centuries made up of persons who appear to be Mohammedans but who are in fact Orthodox Christians. But without Turkish citizen priests to chose a Patriarch from, there will be no Patriarchate in Constantinople.
"Do you suppose this bill is simply a formality, much like previous ones that decried the forced abortions in China or lack of religious freedom in the USSR?"
It might work given the precarious situation Turkey finds itself in, at least from the pov of secular Turks. But the days of a secular Turkey seem numbered. In any event, it puts the US on record and its the right thing to do.