After more than eight months of retreat at the Western Desert monastery of Anba BishoI, Anba Abra’am, Bishop of Fayoum, has returned to his diocese. Anba Ishaq, General Bishop of Fayoum, was there to receive Anba Abra’am, as well as members of the congregation who were happy to have him back and who had visited him at the monastery several times to persuade him to return.
Anba Abra’am, Coptic Orthodox Bishop of Fayoum some 100km southwest Cairo, had on 15 July 2017 asked permission of Pope Tawadros II for an indefinite retreat in his cell in the Western Desert monastery of Anba Bishoi. The request implied he would be relieved of his responsibility as bishop after 32 years of service in that capacity.
Pope Tawadros met Anba Abra’am and had a long talk with him but could not persuade him to change his mind. The Bishop had already been in a two-month-long retreat and wished to extend it indefinitely. Another meeting that included Anba Sarapamon, Abbot of Anba Bishoi’s; and Anba Raphail, Secretary-General of the Holy Synod; did not achieve any different result. [ https://en.wataninet.com/coptic-affairs-coptic-affairs/coptic-affairs/bishop-asks-for-indefinite-retreat/20955/ ]
Last February, Pope Tawadros II assigned General Bishop Anba Ishaq to handle matters at Fayoum diocese.
Anba Abra’am is expected to preside over spiritual services of the upcoming Holy Week that leads to Easter.
Watani International
26 March 2018