Welcoming Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Washington, D.C.

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and welcome His All- Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch, who visits the United States this week to receive the prestigious Templeton Prize. As the spiritual leader of 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide and the longest-serving Archbishop of Constantinople in the Church's two- thousand-year history, His All-Holiness distinguishes himself as a global advocate for peace, reconciliation, and religious freedom.

Elected in 1991, Bartholomew leads efforts to unify the Orthodox Church and other faiths across national and cultural boundaries. He convenes councils, restores long-oppressed churches, and recognizes the independence of emerging Orthodox churches. His tireless efforts to bring together Christians of different traditions do not go unnoticed.

His All-Holiness is a champion for interfaith dialogue and a steadfast advocate for interfaith understanding. He builds meaningful relationships with Muslim and Jewish leaders in the Middle East, Europe, and beyond. He consistently speaks for peace and emphasizes that religious freedom and tolerance are essential to global stability, even as he faces persecution and harassment in his homeland.

Bartholomew is also a steward for the environment who organizes international ecological symposia and advocates for waterway preservation. His call for September 1 to be a day of prayer for the environment earned him the title ``the Green Patriarch,'' a role he continues to embrace.

His relationship with the United States is long and distinguished. He received the Congressional Gold Medal from President Bill Clinton in 1997 and has since met Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden, as well as other U.S. leaders, in recognition of his contributions to global peace and understanding.

As His All-Holiness is in our Nation's Capital once again, his visit highlights his extraordinary leadership. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew continues to devote his life to advancing peace, fostering understanding across faiths, and promoting human dignity. His leadership continues to inspire communities in the United States and around the world.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source