The Coptic Orthodox Holy Synod’s Committee for Monasticism and Monastery Affairs today issued a statement on the defrocking of the monk Ishaia’ al-Maqari and his expulsion from the Monastery of St Macarius the Great in Wadi al-Natroun in Egypt’s Western Desert.
The statement said that, following an enquiry conducted by a special committee into the monk Ishaia’ al-Maqari’s behaviour and deeds which have been contradictory to proper monastic behaviour and monastery tradition of voluntary poverty, obedience, and chastity, it was decided to:
1. Defrock the monk and expel him from the monk assembly of the Monastery of St Macarius the Great in Wadi al-Natroun.
2. He should go back to his pre-monastic lay name of Wael Saad Tawadros, and should not be affiliated to monasticism.
3. He should be persuaded to repent and correct his ways, for his salvation and eternal life.
The decision was ratified by Pope Tawadros II.
Watani had yesterday posted news of the decision to defrock the monk Ishaia’ al-Maqari, according to a draft statement by the Committee for Monasticism and Monastery Affairs. That decision had included the additional defrocking of the monk Yacoub al-Maqari for having “refused to submit to the decisions of the Committee for Monasticism and Monastery Affairs, and for disobeying the bishops delegated by Pope Tawadros; also for acting in a manner that degrades monkhood”. No specific confirmation has yet been issued by the Church on that matter.
Watani International
5 August 2018