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Country statistics
| Population | 75 million |
|---|---|
| Religions | Muslim 97% Christian 0.2% Other 2.8% |
| Christian Population | 150,000 |
Christians and the Struggle for Religious Freedom
A vital booklet about religious freedom to inform, inspire and challenge you. Includes an explanation of what religious freedom means and examples of the challenges Christians face in our Persecuted and Forgotten? 2012 update.
Get the book or download your copyLatest news from Turkey
Please pray for persecuted and suffering ChristiansTurkey - Country profile
Growing concerns about the rise of extremism in Turkey came to a head on 4th June 2010 when Bishop Luigi Padovese, president of the country’s Catholic Bishops’ Conference, was killed in a bloody attack that shocked the world.
Reports initially stated that the assassin was a manic depressive but the killing was later linked to influential subversive groups determined to safeguard the country’s Islamic identity and prevent Turkey’s entry into the EU. (Source: Asia News, 10th June 2010)
Turkey’s Christian community continues to dwindle, reportedly due to human rights abuses. Many have sought a new life away from the periodic attacks on the Church in the media, the workplace and in public institutions. There are ongoing reports of violence and intimidation especially against alleged missionary activity.
Christians in Turkey reportedly feel the government provides insufficient protection for minorities – in spite of legal and constitutional statements on freedom of religion and belief.
New religious freedom legislation was brought in to meet the requirements of EU membership. And at a meeting with Christian leaders in August 2009, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan said “democratic reforms” would ensure the rights of religious minorities.
However doubts persist, especially with fresh reports showing that mob attacks against Christians have continued to rise. (Source: Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Turkey Religious Freedom Profile)
In July 2009 authorities raised the possibility of reopening the Halki Greek Orthodox seminary after 29 years of closure, raising the hope of training Christian leaders. (Source: Hurriyet Daily News, 5th July 2010) By late 2010, the seminary was still closed.
But after a struggle dating back more than 10 years, the Bukukada Orphanage, reportedly one of the largest wooden buildings in the world, was returned to Bartholomew I’s Greek Orthodox Patriarchate.
Key projects
Renovating the pilgrimage church of St Polycarp
The church of St Polycarp is the oldest church in Izmir (once known as Smyrna, as mentioned in the Book of Revelation). It was built in 1620 and is a place of pilgrimage, visited by Christians from around the world – indeed it is the most visited Catholic shrine in Turkey. Thanks to your generosity, urgent renovation work is now going ahead.
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Examples of Persecution
June 2010: Bishop Luigi Padovese of Iskenderun, and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Turkey was killed by his driver and aide, Murat Altun. The murder took place at the bishop’s house in Iskenderun. An autopsy showed that the bishop had been beheaded and had received multiple stab wounds to the chest. The autopsy indicated the hallmarks of an Islamic ritual killing. (Source: BBC News, 3rd June 2010), A CN News, 4th June 2010) and 16 October 2010)
November 2010: A number of government committees announced proposals for schools’ reform. It led many to fear the introduction of Islamic ideology into the education system in a move bound to have negative repercussions for Christians and other minorities. (Source: Asia News, 11th April 2010)
Last updated: 23/03/2011