Orthodox Church in Egypt threatens to withdraw from Constitution Committee

The Orthodox Church representative on the so-called Committee of 50 charged with drafting Egypt’s new constitution has threatened to withdraw for the second time in protest at the drafting process. His Grace Bishop Paula said that he was surprised that the words “civil country” were dropped without consultation. “This was unacceptable,” he added, “as was the explanation of the phrase, ‘principles of Sharia’ in Article 219 without getting back to us.” That, said the bishop, was enough to justify the withdrawal of the church’s three representatives.

Bishop Paula had earlier submitted a memorandum demanding the cancellation of any explanation of the Islamic law in the draft Constitution since, he alleged, it classifies Christians as “second class citizens”.

Sources within the Egyptian Coptic Church, meanwhile, have said that Pope Tawadros II has refused demands by independent Christian activists for a 15 per cent representation for their faith in parliament and public offices. A Church Legal Committee member, Counsellor Monsif Najib Suleiman, said during a press conference at the Bar Association that having positive discrimination with a quota for minorities fuels sectarianism, which he described as the easiest way to divide a country.

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Bishop Ordinations November 17, 2013

H.H. Pope Tawadros II will officiate the Holy Liturgy in St. Mark’s Cathedral in Al Abbasiya, Cairo, Egypt on November 17, 2013.  During this liturgy H.H. Pope Tawadros II, with our fathers the metropolitans and bishops, will ordain / enthrone bishops over dioceses.

CTV Coverage of The Bishop Ordinations Vespers

November 16, 2013 @ 5:30 PM Cairo Time [November 16, 2013 @ 10:30 AM EDT]

 

CTV Coverage of The Bishop Ordinations Liturgy

November 17, 2013 @ 7:00 AM Cairo Time [November 17, 2013 @ 12:00 AM EDT]

Newly Enthroned Bishops:

  1. H.G. Bishop David enthroned on the Diocese of New York and the New England States (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont), USA
  2. H.G. Bishop Selwanis enthroned as the Abbot of the Monastery of St. Pachomious in El Shayeb, Luxor, Egypt

Newly Ordained Bishops:

  1. H.G. Bishop Karas, formerly Fr. Seraphim Al-Moharaqy, as a General Bishop to serve in Al Mahalah, Egypt

May God keep for us the life and standing of our beloved Pope Tawadros II and all of our fathers the metropolitans and bishops. Amen.

Web Sources:

Bishop Ordinations June 16, 2013

H.H. Pope Tawadros II officiated the Holy Liturgy in St. Mark’s Cathedral in Al Abbasiya, Cairo, Egypt on June 16, 2013.  During this liturgy H.H. Pope Tawadros II, with our fathers the Metropolitans and Bishops, ordained 8 new bishops and also enthroned 3 bishops over dioceses.

CTV Coverage of The Bishop Ordinations Liturgy – June 16, 2013

CTV Extended Coverage of The Bishop Ordinations Liturgy – June 16, 2013

Aghapy Coverage of The Bishop Ordinations Vespers – June 16, 2013

Newly Enthroned Bishops:

  1. H.G. Bishop Athansius enthroned on the Diocese of the French Orthodox Church in France
  2. H.G. Bishop Demian enthroned on the Monastery of the Virgin and Abu Sefin, Hoxter, Germany and its surrounding churches
  3. H.G. Bishop Salib enthroned on the Diocese of Meet Ghamr and it’s surroundings

Newly Ordained Bishops:

  1. H.G. Bishop Mishael, formerly Fr. Mikhail El-Antoni, as Bishop and Abbot of the Monastery of St. Anthony’s Monastery – Kröffelbach, Germany and its vicinties
  2. H.G. Bishop Olouguios, formerly Fr. Olouguios ava Bishoy, as Bishop and Abbot of the Monastery of St. Shenouda’s Monastery – Souhag, Egypt
  3. H.G. Bishop Arsani, formerly Fr. Arsanious El-Baramousy, as Bishop of the Diocese of The Netherlands
  4. H.G. Bishop Pavlos, formerly Fr. Paula al Anba Bishoy, as a General Bishop to serve in Greece & Cyprus
  5. H.G. Bishop Louka, formerly Fr. Louka al Baramousy, as a General Bishop to serve in the South of France & Geneva
  6. H.G. Bishop Abanoub, formerly Fr. Abanoub El-Antoni, as a General Bishop
  7. H.G. Bishop Makari, formerly Fr. Mateos Al Baramousy, as a General Bishop
  8. H.G. Bishop Yousab, formerly Fr. Antonious El Anba Pachomious, as a General Bishop

May God keep for us the life and standing of our beloved Pope Tawadros II and all of our fathers the metropolitans and bishops. Amen.

Web Sources: