MO SR1762

Urges the Turkish government to uphold religious and human rights for the Ecumenical Patriarchate without compromise and cease discrimination against the minority Christian church.

Calls for the Turkish government to grant the Ecumenical Patriarch appropriate international recognition, ecclesiastic succession, and the right to train clergy of all nationalities.

Cites Turkish government actions including closure of the Theological School on Halki Island in 1971, confiscation of nearly 94% of the Patriarchate's properties, and a 42% retroactive tax on the Balouki Hospital.

Notes that Turkish government policies have reduced the Orthodox Christian population in Turkey from millions at the turn of the 20th century to less than 3,000 today.

Directs the Missouri Senate Secretary to send inscribed copies of the resolution to the President of the United States, the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, the Turkish Ambassador to the United States, and Missouri's Congressional delegation.