The Holy Metropolis of Italy, in a statement released on Facebook, welcomed the recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the reopening of the Halki Theological School.
The Metropolis noted:
“At the White House, during the meeting of the President of the United States with the President of Turkey, Donald Trump raised directly the issue of reopening the Halki Theological School, which has remained closed since 1971 by decision of the Turkish authorities.Recep Tayyip Erdoğan publicly committed to doing everything possible and to personally discuss the matter with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew immediately upon his return to Turkey.
Founded in 1844 at the Monastery of the Holy Trinity, the Theological School of Halki was for more than a century the main pillar of Orthodox theological education, shaping Patriarchs, Bishops, and leading theologians. Its closure was a profound wound for the Ecumenical Patriarchate and for Orthodoxy worldwide.
Since his election in 1991, Patriarch Bartholomew has made the reopening of the School a top priority, mobilizing governments and institutions internationally. The commitment expressed yesterday in Washington constitutes a historic step and strengthens the hope that, after fifty-four years, Halki will once again open its doors.
The Orthodox Archdiocese of Italy welcomes this development and prays that we will soon see the Theological School of Halki reopen as a beacon of faith, education, and dialogue.”
