Editing Bartholomew I of Constantinople (section)

=== Turkey ===
In an interview published on 19 November 2006 in the daily newspaper ''[[Sabah (newspaper)|Sabah]]'', Bartholomew addressed the issues of religious freedom and the then upcoming [[list of pastoral visits of Pope Benedict XVI|papal trip of Pope Benedict XVI to Turkey]]. He also referred to the closing of the [[Halki seminary]] by saying: "As Turkish citizens, we pay taxes. We serve in the military. We vote. As citizens we do everything. We want the same rights. But it does not happen... If Muslims want to study theology, there are 24 theology faculties. Where are we going to study?" He also addressed the issue of his ecumenical title and it not being accepted by the Turkish government: "We've had this title since the 6th century... The word ecumenical has no political content. [...] This title is the only thing that I insist on. I will never renounce this title".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://arsiv.sabah.com.tr/2006/11/19/gnd119.html |title=Derin devlet açtırmıyor |access-date=24 May 2007 |language=tr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/11/19/turkey.pope.ap/index.html |title=Patriarch warns Turks against pope "incidents" |publisher=[[CNN]] |access-date=19 November 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061119154818/http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/11/19/turkey.pope.ap/index.html |archive-date=19 November 2006}}</ref>