Ecumenical Patriarch ponders Halki replacement

BOSTON (National Herald) – The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I has reportedly asked the Greek Government for permission to set up a theological school in Greece to replace the Theological School of Halki, which remains closed by the Turkish Government despite international calls for its reopening. The Patriarch asked Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis to proceed with this project when the two met during the latter’s official visit to Turkey last January.

The area surrounding the Monastery of St. Anastasia in Vasilika, Halkidiki – just outside of Thessaloniki – is believed to be the proposed site of the new theological school, which is to be funded and operated by Greece. The necessary facilities are already on site since a seminary used to exist there.

According to Greek Government officials, the request for the establishment of a new Patriarchal theological school to take the place of Halki was communicated to a high-ranking member of the Karamanlis administration, without any previous mention that Patriarch Bartholomew was going to add this issue to his agenda during discussions with the Greek Government. According to the same source, the Patriarch made this decision at the last minute and had not even previously informed the Holy Synod about his plans to make this overture.

This decision was said to have been taken following Turkey’s continual refusal to allow Halki to reopen, despite heavy international criticism, including pressure from the U.S. Government. Although it is already in its second term, the current Turkish Government has paid little attention to the issue, responding only that the “matter is under consideration.”

The Halki Theological School has been closed since 1971 and its reopening remains one of Patriarch Bartholomew’s top priorities since his election. Sources tell The National Herald that several bishops of the Ecumenical Patriarchate oppose the decision to establish a new theological school at St. Anastasia Monastery in Thessaloniki, while others believe that the Turkish Government has been lying to the Patriarchate for the past 37 years and that they do not have any plans of ever allowing the historic school to ever reopen. You can add my vote - benign neglect of the needs of the Christians in Turkey by a government hoping they will just die off or convert.

Since 1971, the Patriarchate has been sending its clergy to study theology at the theological schools of Athens and Thessaloniki – especially the latter – while providing them with scholarships and financial assistance. Many of these clergymen have gone on to pursue graduate degrees throughout Europe and the rest of the world.