Posted on 12/03/2004 11:21:41 AM PST by Destro
FRIDAY, 3 DECEMBER 2004
THE US SUPPORTS THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE
Istanbul, 3 December 2004 (14:09 UTC+2)
The United States through their ambassador to Ankara expressed their support to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
The US ambassador asked from Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul that the Ecumenical Patriarchate should be respected and be allowed to function unhampered given the fact that Ankara questions the ecumenical character of the Patriarchate.
At the same time, the United States have made it clear that they recognize the Ecumenical Patriarch as the spiritual leader of millions of Orthodox Christians around the world. According to a US official statement, for years the firm US position is that the Theology School of Halki should reopen, a development placed for the United States within the framework of the protection of religious freedoms and human rights.
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