Pope Tawadros II talked to Watani while in Rome, confirming that his vist was aimed at achieving a closer relationship between the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church in Rome, with the ultimate vision of the unity of Churches
Pope Tawadros II talked to Watani while in Rome, confirming that his vist was aimed at achieving a closer relationship between the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church in Rome, with the ultimate vision of the unity of Churches.
“Our meeting with Pope Francis,” Pope Tawadros said, “revealed the depth of the fraternity and love he bears for our Church. He clearly stated that we are all disciples of Christ, and that St Peter and St Mark—the two apostles who founded both our Churches—were brothers in apostleship.
Watani asked Pope Tawadros when he expected Pope Francis to visit Egypt in response to the invitation he had extended to Pope Francis. Pope Tawadros said that such a visit needed close coordination with the Vatican, “which we will be diligently following”.
“True,” he said, “unity between the Churches requires extensive theological dialogue but, without brotherly love, unity can never materialise.
“I have proposed that the date 10 May should be annually marked as a date that celebrates the close relationship between both our Churches,” Pope Tawadros said, “in order that we may be always reminded that we have embarked on the path of unity.”
Once back in Cairo, the Pope said, he intends that the question of baptism in the Orthodox and the Catholic Churches should be discussed by the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox.
On 25 May, he said, he will be presiding over a conference in Vienna, in which all the Coptic bishops in Europe will participate, to discuss the affairs of the Church there.
Pope Tawadros, who was on a visit to the Vatican on 10 and 11 May, has begun a pastoral visit to the Coptic Churches in Rome and Milano. He has already presided over Holy Mass at the church of the Holy Virgin where he consecrated the altar and baptismal, and baptised three babies.
Watani International
12 May 2013