The Melli (Community) Council of the Coptic Orthodox Church has issued a statement notifying film producers that they must obtain the approval of the Church before venturing on any film or drama that depicts the life of the late Pope Shenouda III, Patriarch from 1971 to 2012. The statement explained that having offered his life to the Church as a monk, bishop, then patriarch, Pope Shenouda’s history is now figuratively belongs the Church. His life is still vividly present in the minds and souls of his the congregation and the millions of Egyptians who love and revere him, the statement said, and it would hurt no one to obtain approval from the Church for any work on his life. The legal department of the Melli Council pointed out that it would take legal procedures against any violator of this decision.
Watani International
1 March 2016