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SENATE RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The Orthodox Christian Church, in existence for |
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nearly 2,000 years, numbers approximately 300 million members |
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worldwide, with more than two million members in the United |
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States; and |
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WHEREAS, Since 1453, the continuing presence of the |
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Ecumenical Patriarchate in Turkey has been a living testament to |
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religious coexistence; and |
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WHEREAS, This religious coexistence is in doubt because |
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the Ecumenical Patriarchate is considered a minority religion by |
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the Turkish government; and |
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WHEREAS, There were millions of Orthodox Christians living |
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in Turkey at the turn of the 20th century, but there remain fewer |
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than 3,000 in Turkey today; and |
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WHEREAS, Orthodox Christians in Texas and throughout the |
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United States stand to lose their spiritual leader; and |
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WHEREAS, While there have been difficulties in the past |
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with the relationship of the Orthodox Christian Church and the |
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Turkish government, certain recent actions by the Turkish |
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government suggest an interest in improving its relationship |
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with and treatment of the Orthodox Christian Church, and such |
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actions are acknowledged and welcomed; and |
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WHEREAS, The people of Texas desire to encourage continued |
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dialogue and communication between the leadership of the Turkish |
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government and the Orthodox Christian Church, such as recent |
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high-level meetings between Turkish officials and the Ecumenical |
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Patriarchate; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd |
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Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby urge the government of |
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Turkey to uphold and safeguard religious and human rights of all |
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its citizens without compromise, to grant the Ecumenical |
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Patriarch appropriate international recognition, ecclesiastical |
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succession, and the right to train clergy of all nationalities, |
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and to respect the property rights and human rights of the |
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Ecumenical Patriarchate and all religious and faith traditions. |
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_______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on June 22, 2011, by |
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the |
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_______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |