CAIRO: Egypt s Coptic pope sought Monday to reassure his followers Monday upon returning from a trip abroad that raised concerns over his health and saw a dissident bishop trying to set up a rival church. The church has 20 centuries of history behind it. It has remained solid and was never harmed by the dangers threatening it and it will not be affected by this development, Shenuda III told reporters. He was speaking at a rare press conference at the patriarchate after the self-proclaimed Archbishop Maximus I announced plans to start appointing bishops around the country and split from the Coptic Orthodox church. This man is married and has two daughters while bishops in our church should remain single, Shenuda said, adding that he believed Maximus would never receive government authorizations to pursue his project. In an interview published last week, Maximus charged that Shenuda s pontificate had been disastrous and accused the patriarch of inciting sectarian violence in Egypt. When asked Monday if he would excommunicate Maximus, Shenuda answered: No need . he has already renounced the church. Over the past month, the 83-year-old Shenuda, who has headed the church since 1971, underwent medical treatment in the United States and Germany, sparking a discussion about his succession. I underwent a full battery of medical tests and the doctors told me my health was good, Shenuda told reporters at the airport on Sunday night upon landing back in Egypt. Copts in Egypt make up between six and 10 percent of the 73-million population and are the largest Christian community in the Middle East. AFP
Coptic pope plays down challenge by dissident bishop
