Religious leaders in Istanbul opposed to a possible U.S. operation against Iraq, calling for peace, semiofficial Anatolia news agency reported yesterday.
Turkey Chief Rabbi Ishak Haleva, Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomew, Turkish Armenian Patriarch Mesrob II, Syriac Orthodox Istanbul Metropolitan Yusuf Cetin, Vatican’s Representative in Istanbul Georges Marovitch, Apostolic Vicar of Istanbul Louis Pelatre and other religious officials attended a breakfast organized by Istanbul Mayor Ali Mufit Gurtuna on Wednesday.
Addressing the leaders at the meeting, Gurtuna said that the world was under the threat of total darkness, emphasizing that all the religions should now struggle against injustice, ignorance and cruelty.
Responding to questions about a possible Iraq operation from reporters, Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomew said that all the religious leaders were against an Iraq war, appreciating Turkish Prime Minister Abdullah Gul’s visits to certain Middle East countries seeking peace.
Hoping that these visits would produce a positive outcome, Bartholomew said, “May God protect Turkey and the whole world from war. We, as religious officials, will always be in favor of peace,” he added.
Turkish Armenian Patriarch Mesrob II noted at the meeting that they devoted themselves to peace and unity, adding that they would hold prayers at different churches for peace until Friday.
“The war will not only harm those innocent people in Iraq but the life and economy in the entire region,” Mesrob II said.
Syriac Orthodox Istanbul Metropolitan Yusuf Cetin also hoped that people’s hearts would fill with love and mercy against a possible war.
Ankara- Turkish Daily News
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