In a press conference yesterday, the Coptic Orthodox Church announced its stance regarding the current attempts to write a new Egyptian constitution. This stance was determined by the three top authorities in the Church
In a press conference yesterday, the Coptic Orthodox Church announced its stance regarding the current attempts to write a new Egyptian constitution. This stance was determined by the three top authorities in the Church: the Holy Synod whose members are entirely of the Church’s clergy, and the Melli (Community) Council and the Coptic Endowments Authority which are formed of members of the Coptic laity. A meeting between all three had been held prior to the press conference, to discuss the current drafting of the new constitution by the Constituent Assembly, and a statement was issued in this respect.
On behalf of acting patriarch Anba Pachomeus, Bishop of Minoufiya Anba Benyamin read the statement drafted during the meeting. He began by reminding of the Coptic Church as an Egyptian national entity and the patriotic stances it always adopts, especially given its keenness on national interest while maintaining a distance from politics. Anba Benyamin also reminded that the Church is part of the Constituent Assembly.
Anba Benyamin then read the Church statement. “We have been closely following the efforts of the Constituent Assembly, of which the Church is member, tasked with drafting Egypt’s new constitution. The current composition of the assembly is cause for concern, since it does not reflect a true balance of all the sectors of the community. The Church thus announces her apprehension that a constitution may be written to express the interests of one particular stream against the will of the rest of the people.
“The church upholds the texts on rights and freedoms which figured in previous constitutions and in international treaties of which Egypt is signatory; major among these is the International Declaration on Human Rights.”
The statement stressed that the Church believes Egypt should remain a civic State, and that it should be a modern, constitutional State based on human and citizenship rights, non-discrimination, and freedom of creed, opinion and thought.
Concerning the second article of the 1971 Constitution which stipulates Islamic sharia as the main source of legislation, and which has been the subject of heated controversy in Egypt lately, Anba Benyamin pointed out that the Church is for keeping this article, but adding to it the clause: “the heavenly legislations particular to non-Muslims should be considered as the main source of legislation when it comes to their practice of rites, family affairs and appointing their leaders.”
Anba Benyamin confirmed the Church’s anxiety regarding the Islamist hegemony over the Constituent Assembly, and insisted the Church rejects discrimination whether based on gender, race or language.
“The Church will reconsider its membership in the Constituent Assembly according to how matters proceed,” Anba Benyamin said.
Watani International
5 July 2012