"We are afraid that Turkey's decision may provoke tension between Christians and Muslims., at a time when it is necessary to pursue dialogue and seek common ground. " The Archbishop of Australia and the Council of Catholic Bishops state in a joint statement……..
All Australian Catholic Bishops shocked by Turkey's decision to turn Hagia Sophia into a mosque, who met extraordinarily last week to take a position on this unacceptable and unnecessary decision.
The Synod of Catholic Bishops of Australia convened under the chairmanship of Archbishop Brisbane Mark.
According to exclusive information of ethnos.gr, The issue of Hagia Sophia was discussed at length during the session, while many of the Bishops of the Catholic Church did not hesitate to express their dissatisfaction, but also their anxiety about the future of Turkey, which is increasingly moving away from culture and European integration.
The Bishops of the Catholic Church unanimously authorized Archbishop Mark, President of the Holy Synod, to contact Archbishop Makarios to issue a joint statement protesting the change of status of Hagia Sophia.
Alongside, The Bishops of the Catholic Church unanimously expressed their appreciation and respect for the new Archbishop of Australia Makarios, while through their President they promised to inform the Holy See about their decisions.
They unite their voices, as they characteristically state in their joint statement, with many others around the world, expressed their deepest disappointment at Turkey's recent decision to change the Hagia Sophia regime, which has always been a place of Christian worship and in more recent times a monument of world cultural heritage and a symbol of universality.
also, express their fear that this move may incite tension between Christians and Muslims, at a time when it is necessary to pursue dialogue and seek common ground.
"The path of nationalist ideology and the political decisions it makes, can only lead to division and not to the wise path of peace pursued by all religions.
We pray for the people of Turkey and especially for the Christians there, who have been particularly affected by this decision. also, we pray over time for this decision to be overturned, so that Hagia Sophia belongs to everyone again, and to become a symbol of peace again ", they emphasize in their joint statement.
The Archbishop of Australia warmly thanked Archbishop Mark and through him the Catholic Bishops and conveyed to them the pleasure of Patriarch Bartholomew.
Note that next week, The Archbishop of Australia Makarios will be in the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, at the invitation of Archbishop Fisher, to discuss issues of Australian State and Church relations.