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On Thursday, February 28 2002 at 2:05 p.m. N.Y. time, the member of the House of Commons in Canada Mr. John Cannis presented a statement in the Canadian House of Commons. Mr Cannis Office sent a press release that follows about this event.
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HOUSE OF COMMONS CHAMPRE DES COMMUNES OTTAWA, CANADA K1A CA6
John Cannis, M.P. Scarborough Centre
For immediate release
JOHN CANNIS WANTS THE DOORS OF THE ORTHODOX THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF HALKI, TURKEY TO RE-OPEN
OTTAWA, February 28, 2002 – Scarborough Centre M.P., John Cannis, emphasized the need to re-open the historic and renown Theological Institute of Halki, Turkey, which was closed by Turkish authorities in 1971. “We must urge the Turkish Government to respect the international democratic principle of freedom of religion and re-open the Theological Institute in Halki,” said Mr. Cannis, during Statements in the House of Commons. The Member of Parliament for Scarborough Centre encouraged the government to support the international campaign to re-open the Orthodox Theological Institute, which was the primary place of training and education for many prominent scholars of the Orthodox faith. Mr. Cannis explained that the school, which was a monastery dating back to 837 A.D. and converted to a school in 1844, is not only significant to the Orthodox faith, but is an invaluable part of world culture.
The detailed text of the statement is:
Mr. John Cannis (Scarborough Centre, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to the attention of the House an international campaign, whose objective is to re-open the Orthodox Theological Institute of Halki, Turkey. Mr. Speaker, for those who are unaware of this very important initiative, the Orthodox Theological Institute on the island of Halki, was closed by Turkish authorities in 1971. This institute, was previously a monastery founded in (837-866 A.D.) and was converted to a school in September 1844 and became a prominent establishment responsible for the theological training of many eminent scholars of the Orthodox faith. The Theological Institute, is a historic, unique and invaluable part of world culture and the Orthodox Christian religion. It is therefore very important that the Canadian Government and all citizens both here and abroad, support the re-opening of the school of Halki. We must urge the Turkish Government to respect the international democratic principle of freedom of religion and re-open the Theological Institute in Halki. It is the 21st century. It is the right thing to do.
Mr. Cannis prepared a petition for the Re-opening of the Theological School of Halki in which all the Canadian Citizens can sign and these signatures will present in the Parliament as well in the web site. |
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