Debate over Ecumenism heatıng up


VERCİHAN ZİFLİOĞLU / GÖKSEL BOZKURT

ISTANBUL / ANKARA - HDN

Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew’s demand at a parliamentary commission meeting last week that his patriarchate be entitled to become a legal entity has stirred up a new debate over the church’s ecumenism.

Granting the patriarchate such rights would change the whole situation for all patriarchates, especially the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) deputy Yusuf Halaçoğlu told the Hürriyet Daily News. “This right will especially strengthen the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate on the topic of their ecumenical claims.”

But Halaçoğlu also said the right to hold a legal personality should be granted reciprocally to Muslims in Greece, adding that Western Thrace’s mufti should enjoy this right.

Political science professor Baskın Oran, meanwhile, said ecumenism “is not a decision for Turkey to make.”

“It is related to the Orthodox theology. Legal entity is a right,” he said.

Another political science professor, Doğu Ergil, said the debate reflected a nationalist reflex and added that becoming a legal entity and forming a federation were rights.

“Ecumenism is a historic phenomenon,” he said. “Before the Turks even arrived in Anatolia, Anatolia was the center of Orthodoxy.”

There are only about 1,500 Greeks left in the country, Ergil said, pointing out that there was no tolerance even toward them.

Bartholomew also demanded that foundations should be able to gather under a federation. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate needs to consult the Office of the Fatih District Governor for even the tiniest permission.