Egypt-Copts Key Coptic council raps homosexuality

A key Egyptian Christian council Thursday slammed homosexuality, which it said had grown in the world of late.

At a meeting led by Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria, the Holy Council of the Orthodox Coptic Church vociferously condemned a recent decision by an Anglican church in the US to name a bishop, who was the first cleric to say he was gay.

"These movements contradict teachings of the Holy Book," the council said in a statement.

It added "They also threaten natural marriage, the institution of the family and society's values. It criticised allegations that homosexuality was part of human rights. We condemn and vehemently oppose same-sex marriage as a whole."