Springfield
is a long way from Istanbul — 5,660 miles, in fact — but Illinois state
senators are considering a resolution that would criticize Turkey's
treatment of the Eastern Orthodox religious hierarchy. Even though a
majority of senators have co-sponsored the nonbinding measure, it may
not make it to a vote.
Orthodox
Christians say their leader, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of
Constantinople, has been marginalized and mistreated by a Turkish
government that has also seized church lands, imposed onerous
citizenship requirements and closed an important religious school. Local
Orthodox officials say the resolution will raise awareness about the
church's status in Turkey and make an important statement about
religious freedom everywhere.
"As
a nation, we stand for something better, something higher," said Bishop
Demetrios of Mokissos, chancellor of Chicago's Greek Orthodox
Metropolis. "Why shouldn't we stand for religious liberty of people
living around the world?"
Turkey's
consul general to Chicago, Fatih Yildiz, said his government supports
religious tolerance, respects the patriarch and is working to address
many of the grievances outlined in the resolution. Yildiz believes the
resolution is "not fair to Turkey" and not within the purview of
Illinois legislators.
"Frankly
speaking, there's always room for improvement with respect to religious
freedom, including Turkey," Yildiz said. "We believe that we continue
to review and enhance the rights of the religious minorities.
"It's part of our fabric, this multicultural and multireligious element."
Yildiz
and Demetrios both emphasized that the current Turkish government has
made important overtures to the Orthodox faithful. A large parcel of
land around the closed religious school was recently returned to the
church. The government has also made it easier for Orthodox leaders to
acquire Turkish citizenship, a requirement for ascending to
Bartholomew's post.
"Believe
me," Yildiz said, "everyone is doing their best in creating the right
atmosphere for this. What we need is not criticism but acknowledgment of
the fact that Turkey has done a lot and has the political will" to
support religious minorities.
Turkey,
an officially secular state on the border of Europe and Asia, is the
historical home of the Orthodox Church, though 99 percent of Turks are
now Muslim. Bartholomew serves as the spiritual leader of 250 million
Orthodox Christians worldwide.
The
resolution, which has been co-sponsored by 41 of 59 senators, is
currently lodged in the Assignments Committee and has not been scheduled
for a vote.
Most
General Assembly resolutions are locally focused and uncontroversial,
often honoring the life of a recently deceased person, supporting
awareness of a disease or, in one instance, commemorating a library's
40th anniversary. A few delve into thornier international issues,
including resolutions before the House this year dealing with business
in Cuba and U.S. relations with Taiwan.
Senate
President John J. Cullerton's office "discourages foreign policy
resolutions," said Rikeesha Phelon, a spokeswoman for the North Side
Democrat. She wouldn't make Cullerton available for comment or answer
questions about whether a vote will take place before the legislative
session ends on May 31.
The
resolution passed the Illinois House in 2007 and has the support of the
Chicago City Council and leaders of other faiths, including Roman
Catholic Cardinal Francis George. With the resolution's path forward in
the Senate unclear, George Vranas, a leader of an Oak Lawn congregation,
still hopes to see progress.
"We're
not looking to knock Turkey," said Vranas, parish council president at
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. "We're looking for a resolution that
supports the patriarch and supports religious freedom."
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