PATRIARCHATE CLARIFIES: ‘CRUCIFIXION’ MEANS SORROW, HARDSHIPS
Today’s Zaman
Dec 24 2009
Turkey
A statement from the Istanbul-based Greek Orthodox Patriarchate
said that Patriarch Bartholomew’s words on a CBS television program
broadcast in the United States about feeling "crucified" living in
Turkey was meant to reflect sorrow and hardships because of problems.
The patriarchate’s statement said: "There are similar idioms in all
languages, and they are not evaluated in their narrow meanings but in
their broad sense in that language. While answering questions in that
regard, the patriarch obviously did not intend to imply any pressure
from our government."
The statement also said that there was a need to make a public
announcement about the issue because the patriarch’s words were
interpreted in a way that goes beyond their meaning.
Speaking in an interview held in May with CBS’ "60 Minutes" for a story
broadcast on Sunday night, Patriarch Bartholomew said Turkey’s Greek
Orthodox community feels they are treated as "second-class citizens"
and he feels "crucified" living in Turkey.
"As a spiritual leader who is supposed to express the problems that
the Christian Orthodox community and the Patriarchate have been
facing for years, the patriarch has used his usual realistic and
careful style to articulate these," the statement also said.
Meanwhile, Turkey’s Chief Negotiator for the European Union Egemen
BagıÅ~_ said that the expression is used in English and Greek, adding:
"We would not gain anything by saying that our Turkish brethren who
live in the Western Thrace feel crucified. The important thing is
to alleviate the problems in society. And as we know, there are not
segments in the society without problems. Our Alevi brothers have
problems. Workers have problems. Armenians have problems. Greeks
have problems.
Women have problems. But we have the will to overcome these problems.
Our Turkey is not the old Turkey. Turkey can face its problems. It is
a country which tries to identify its problems and produce solutions."