THE FUTURE of St Helena’s Chapel in Istanbul is still under discussion, 18
months after it was badly damaged by the bombing of the British Consulate, the
Foreign Office said this week.
The chapel, which is on the edge of the consulate grounds, has been sealed
off since the bomb in November 2003, which left 26 people dead, including the
Consul-General, Roger Short.
A Foreign Office spokesman said on Wednesday that much work needed to be
done if St Helena’s was to be fully restored, and it was consulting both the
diocese and chaplaincy council about this. No decision had yet been taken:
“Everyone is being kept informed,” he said.
St Helena’s was built in the 19th century, although Christians have
worshipped on the site since the 16th century. The Anglican chaplaincy is clear
that it wishes the chapel to be restored to its pre-bombed state, and has set
up a restoration fund. (Donors can contact Roy Farmer at trey.farmer@
bbfpartners.com.)
The chaplaincy continues to be concerned about its future. Canon Ian
Sherwood, the Anglican chaplain in Istanbul, said on Tuesday that the church
council had reacted strongly to a suggestion that the developers of a
neighbouring hotel might take over the site. “Our humble churchyard and chapel
seem to be a victim of this money-grabbing and destruction of a natural space
in a much overcrowded city.”
The Bishop in Europe, Dr Geoffrey Rowell, said this week: “Nothing final has
been decided concerning the chapel and its environs, and there are ongoing
discussions between the Foreign Office, the Bishop, and the chaplaincy, to
develop a suitable plan for it and for the life of the Church in Istanbul.
“The main worship centre for Anglican Christians in Istanbul is Christ
Church, which has daily and weekly services. The St Helena chapel has in recent
years been used only rarely (about once a month). The damaged chapel requires
structural repairs, to which a substantial price tag is attached.”
The Foreign Office spokesman said that the Consul General had met the church
council to address the situation, and that these discussions would continue.