EU Bishops lament conversion of Istanbul Orthodox church into mosque

By Vatican News

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) has expressed regret over the recent implementation of a decision by Turkish authorities to transform the Church of Saint Savior in Chora into a mosque.

EU Bishops said the move undermines the historical roots of Christianity in Türkiye.

“This step further dilutes the historical roots of the Christian presence in the country,” read a statement. “Any interreligious dialogue initiative promoted by Turkish authorities loses credibility.”

The Church of Saint Savior in Chora, a “highly symbolic” Byzantine Christian Orthodox church in Istanbul, was formally opened for Islamic worship by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the beginning of May 2024.

The change follows the conversion of the Hagia Sophia Basilica into a mosque four years prior.

The early 4th-century basilica was converted into a mosque in the 16th century, during the Ottoman era. It became a museum in 1945, and is covered with Byzantine Christian mosaics and frescoes dating back centuries.

Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, Secretary General of COMECE, lamented the decision, emphasizing that it will make religious coexistence more difficult.

In July 2020, COMECE also commented on the conversion of Hagia Sophia, describing it as "a blow to interreligious dialogue."

The Commission noted Türkiye’s issues with hate speech and threats against national, ethnic, and religious minorities.