Concern for Patriarch

Concern for Patriarch


NEW YORK (ANA-MPA - P. Panagiotou)

Archbishop of America Demetrios has sent letters to U.S. President Barack Obama and top U.S. officials, expressing concern about the safety of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Istanbul and seeking their assistance in his protection.

The letters were sent before Christmas Day and addressed to Obama, U.S. Vice President Jo Biden, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Speaker of the U.S. Congress Nancy Pelosi and the leader of the Democrats in the Senate Harry Reid.

The letter also asks them to help secure the rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul to continue operating and carrying out its mission.

Archbishop Demetrios wrote the letters in the wake of incensed reactions from Turkish officials and some Turkish media to statements made by Bartholomew in an interview with CBS, during which the Patriarch complained that his treatment by Turkish authorities often left him feeling "crucified" and "like a second-class citizen".