The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) has released a statement expressing their disappointment with Turkey’s decision to convert the ancient Byzantine Church of Saint Saviour in Chora into a mosque.
They argue that this action "further dilutes the historical roots of Christian presence in the country."
They also said: “Any interreligious dialogue initiative promoted by Turkish authorities loses credibility.”
The Church was formally opened for Islamic worship by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the beginning of May 2024. This came after the conversion of the Hagia Sophia Basilica into a mosque four years earlier.
Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, Secretary General of COMECE also disagreed with the decision, emphasising that it will complicate religious coexistence. He said in a statement: "This conversion makes it more challenging to maintain a harmonious relationship between different religious communities."
In July 2020, COMECE also commented on the conversion of Hagia Sophia, describing it as "a blow to interreligious dialogue."
The Commission highlighted Turkey’s ongoing issues with hate speech and threats against national, ethnic, and religious minorities. “The transformation of such significant Christian sites into mosques exacerbates tensions and undermines efforts towards mutual respect and understanding,” the statement concluded.