Patriarch BartholomewIstanbul (AsiaNews) – The ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has once again requested Ankara to recognise minority rights: Turkey’s Christians should enjoy the same rights that their fellow Muslims enjoy, both in Turkey and Europe.  “We do not only want the freedom to celebrate our faith within our churches, but also the recognition of all civil rights, just as our fellow Muslims in Turkey.  The same civil rights which our Muslim brothers have, and rightly so, in Europe”.

Taking advantage of the presence of members of the European parliamentarians from the green party – who were accompanied by the German Consul to the central Church of the Holy Trinity in Taksim square Istanbul for Pentecost celebrations – the Patriarch observed, “Is it not a cause for celebration to see our Muslim brothers actively participate in the civil life of European Countries, as is witnessed by the presence here today of the German MEP of Turkish origins Cem Oz Demir?”.

Click here for the entire story at www.asianews.it (story opens in a new window).