Blocking foreigners from entry into the country is a way of depriving Christian churches of educated leaders. Turkey strictly regulates religious education in the country, which has led to the closure of the historic Greek Orthodox Halki seminary.
“The service and support of foreign pastors and lay persons [is] crucial,” said USCIRF chair Tony Perkins. “The Turkish government should end these expulsions and allow Christians to train and educate their future religious leaders.”
While many foreigners have not been given a reason for why their visas were canceled or denied, World Watch Monitor reported that some were informed they, like Brunson, are considered a threat to national security....
Paul Fountain | 1/30/2009
