Istanbul, Jul. 16, 2007 (CWNews.com) - Turkish nationalists forced the cancellation of a musical concert organized by the Patriarchate of Constantinople in the latest sign of mounting public pressure on the Orthodox leadership, the AsiaNews service reports.
Under pressure from nationalist groups, Turkish officials revoked permission for a public concert that was part of the Conference of Orthodox Youth. The move fell in line with a recent court ruling that the Patriarch of Constantinople is only a local religious leader, and cannot claim the status of "Ecumenical Patriarch" or leadership of an international religious group.
The Patriarch of Constantinople-- traditionally recognized by other Orthodox patriarchs as the "first among equals" and thus the leading figure in the Orthodox world-- has frequently protested the failure of Turkey's government to provide authentic freedom of religion for the country's Christian minority.
The conflict between the Ankara government and the Orthodox patriarchate takes on new significance in light of Turkey's application for membership in the European Union. Opponents of Turkish entry into the EU have cited concerns about the government's protection of human rights and of minority groups.
[For a more detailed report on the cancelled concert see the AsiaNews web site.]