The meetings of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew with US President Joe Biden and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken took place in a very good atmosphere.. As ecclesiastical circles underlined, these were not formal contacts, as the two meetings were held with expanded delegations and with the participation of senior White House and State Department officials. Addressing the climate crisis, the promotion of religious libertarians around the world, but also the effective and socially just management of the pandemic were some of the topics that were at the center of these meetings.
Situation in Turkey and pressure on the Theological School of Halki
On the part of the patriarchal delegation, it was emphasized that the existing situation with the Theological School of Halki cannot continue. As highlighted, Turkey is trying to put the issue on the basis of reciprocity with Greece and is asking for unreasonable counter-prices, which of course cannot be accepted by Athens. In this light, the patriarchal mission requested to disconnect the matter of the Theological School of Halki from the agenda of Greek-Turkish relations. For that reason, called on the US to politically elevate the issue and take an additional step that would move beyond the level of rhetoric. As was typically said, Washington must change tactics, as her policy has yielded no results for Halki. Regarding the situation in Turkey, Joe Biden expressed the feeling that President Erdogan is particularly squeezed, as his country's economy is in dire straits, and appeared curious as to how he would react from now on.
Interfaith Dialogue
The Ecumenical Patriarch knows that the American president is a devout Catholic. Hence, he conveyed to him the wishes and cordial greetings of Pope Francis, with whom he had met a week ago. In addition, he placed particular emphasis on the interfaith dialogue that takes place with the Roman Catholic Church and with other Christian denominations. In this light, presented to the American president the initiative undertaken by the Ecumenical Patriarchate together with the Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches to provide vaccines to third world countries that cannot afford to obtain them comfortably. Mr.. Biden showed particular interest, commenting that it is a move that is both morally and practically sound.
Ukrainian Orthodox Church Autocephaly
According to church circles, at the meetings, the systematic moves made by the Moscow Patriarchate against the Ecumenical Patriarchate were put on the carpet. The specific actions taken under the pretext of granting autocephaly to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are contrary to ecclesiastical regularity and undermine the unity of Orthodoxy. As said, during the discussion it was found that there is dissatisfaction in the American actor about the non-constructive role played by Russia.
After the meetings at the White House and the State Department were completed, the Ecumenical Patriarch expressed his satisfaction, saying that President Biden is a man of faith and vision. “We cannot allow any short-sighted political agenda to interfere with our relations, which are done through and in Christ Jesus, the Lord and Savior of the world", stressed characteristics.