The United States expects the historic Halki Theological School to reopen in September 2026, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack announced, marking the strongest American push in decades to resolve the long-standing religious freedom dispute.
Speaking to Greek media, Mr. Barrack confirmed that the Trump administration has adopted a "clear line" regarding the seminary, which was closed by Turkish authorities in 1971.
He said that the reopening is now a shared priority for both President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
"We wanted to monitor progress and see if there is anything we can do to facilitate… a potential reopening in September 2026," Mr. Barrack said.
The renewed diplomatic focus follows a recent meeting between Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Mr. Trump in the Oval Office.
According to Father Alex Karloutsos, who attended the session, Mr. Trump was told that every U.S. president since George H.W. Bush had failed to secure the school's opening.
"All of them couldn’t, but I will," Mr. Trump reportedly replied, asking for a formal letter to forward to Mr. Erdogan.
Located on Heybeliada island near Istanbul, the seminary served as the primary theological school for the Ecumenical Patriarchate for over a century. Its continued closure remains a central point of friction in Greek-Turkish relations.
Mr. Barrack’s comments signal that Washington is prepared to expend significant political capital to restore the institution as a global academic center for Orthodox clergy.