The Chicago Tribune, the major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois and currently the eighth largest newspaper in America by circulation, recently issued dialogue regarding the ’60 Minutes’ episode of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, in its News Column section by John Kass:

Question: What about the “60 Minutes” interview on Sunday with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual leader for 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide, who is under siege by the Turks? -Alex K., New York

Kass: Dear Alex – This deserves its own column, but it breaks my heart to know that so many don’t know about the suffering of the patriarch of the Orthodox Church. The Patriarchate has been in Turkey for 17 centuries, there since the beginning of organized Christianity, yet many Americans don’t know about the terrible treatment the church has received in Turkey. For example, the Turks refuse to allow Orthodox priests to be trained at the Orthodox seminary. As I’ve said before, just imagine if the Vatican were surrounded in a Muslim Italy, with priests under siege, and Americans ignoring their plight. For his comments, Patriarch Bartholomew is the subject of intense pressure. In case anyone missed it, you may see the full “60 Minutes” interview at www.chicagotribune.com/bartholomew.