Egyptian Church refuses the secrecy of the WCC decisions
Regional, Religion, 1/31/2001

The Egyptian delegation to the meetings of the World Church Council (WCC), currently in session in the German city of Potsdam to probe combating violence in the world with the participation of representatives of the Orthodox and Protestant churches in 150 countries, asked for Egypt's right to get acquainted with all the decisions of the Council.

Anba You'nis, Pope Shenouda's representative and head of the Egyptian delegation, stated that this right will not be exclusive to the Coptic Church since it is a member of the WCC but it will be also granted to official authorities and public opinion in Egypt. Moreover, he criticized severely the decisions and working plans taken or implemented in secrecy. He also declared that it is high time for the WCC to adopt a policy of absolute transparency in its proceedings.

In the meantime, Anba Dimian, Bishop of the Egyptian Orthodox Copts in Germany, issued a statement to the Egyptian daily Al-Ahram that the directives of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III to the members of the delegation are to be representatives of all the Egyptians whether Christians or Muslims, to refuse any foreign intervention in the affairs of Egyptian Copts since they are an essential part of the fabric of the Egyptian people and to assert the dominance of the spirit of national unity in the relations between the Muslims and Christians in Egypt.

Commenting on the communiquƩ of the chairman of the conference and the report of the Secretary-General, Anba You'nis warned against becoming involved in political disputes and debates over the phenomenon of violence in a way which may lead to the clergy's bias to certain policies and governments adding that the main mission of the clergy is to pray for the stop of violence.

It is noteworthy that the delegation of the Egyptian Church paid a visit on his second day in Germany to the premises of the Egyptian Embassy in Berlin where they held a meeting with Ambassador Mahmoud Mubarak; Egypt's Ambassador to the German capital.

Previous Stories:
  Symposium on translation of holy Quran meanings ends   (1/29/2001)
  Representatives of Arab, Muslim americans meet chair of commission on international religious freedom   (1/8/2001)
  Construction of Hindu temple over mosque's ruins worries pan-Islamic body   (12/14/2000)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search