(File Photo) (Photo by Hassan Ibrahim)
Representatives of Egyptian churches held the first meeting of the Egyptian Council of Churches on Monday, headed by Pope Tawadros II, Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
The council includes representatives of the Coptic Orthodox, Catholic, Evangelical, Episcopal and Greek Orthodox churches. It was held at the Coptic Cultural Center in St. Mark’s Cathedral in Al-Abbaseya district of Cairo.
“The council doesn’t have political goals; it aims to unite Christians on general matters to endorse the Christian stance and facilitate the Christian-Islamic dialogue,” said Coptic lawyer Naguib Gabriel.
“Unity does not involve issues of dogma; every church sustains its independence except on general issues regarding all Christians,” Gabriel added.
He added that the representatives decided the council’s presidency will rotate every three years. They nominated Pope Tawadros II for the first presidency as a way of honouring his achievements.
The meeting also discussed approving the final statute and the general rules of the council.
Gabriel stated that the council will be a national version of the Middle East Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches, but will not be a substitute for either of these councils.
