Press Release: Funerals held for 2 killed in bombing at Coptic Orthodox Church Libya

PRESS RELEASE
For immediate use
2 Jan 2013

The Coptic Orthodox Church UK

Media and Public Relations Office

Funerals for two men killed in an explosion at a Coptic Orthodox Church building in Libya have been held on 2 January 2013.

40 year old Wagdi Malak Hanna from the province of Al Minya and 26 year old Ashraf Samy Adly from the province of Alexandria were killed after an explosion at a Coptic Orthodox Church building in Libya on Saturday 29 December 2012. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack to date.

The following was said in a statement released by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, 118th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of All Africa on the holy Apostolic See of Saint Mark:

‘We condemn in the strongest possible terms these terrorist acts that target houses of worship and we appeal to the peoples of the world and their governments to fight such terrorism…religions are founded on love and peace and forbid aggression against innocent people.’

His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of The Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom said:

‘The Coptic Orthodox Church has been in Libya for over twenty years, and it is sad that this has happened now, especially at this time of celebration. We hope that it is not a sign of things to come, and pray for peace in Libya, Egypt and throughout the Middle East, the birthplace of Christ.’

According to Associated Press, the Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohammed Kamel Amr said:

‘Egypt is requesting an investigation into the circumstances of the operation and for those responsible to be put on trial’

*ENDS*

Press Release: COORF Solemn Vespers to mark 40 years of Common Statements

Press Release
For immediate use
7 December 2012

 The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre UK

Media and Public Relations Office

 

The Catholic-Oriental Orthodox Regional Forum (COORF) held a Solemn Vespers of the Blessed Virgin Mary on 6 December 2012 to celebrate forty years of Common Statements between The Catholic Church and The Oriental Orthodox Churches and to pray for unity.

 

In his sermon at the historic St James, Spanish Place, Catholic Church, COORF Catholic Co-Chair His Grace Archbishop Kevin McDonald spoke of the historical connections between the member Churches, followed by Oriental Orthodox Co-Chair HG Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of The Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, who spoke on chapter 17 of the Gospel of Saint John and the importance of common witness in the United Kingdom and throughout the world.


HE Metropolitan Seraphim read from the letter of St Paul to the Galatians, after which the Hymn of The Annunciation of The Mother of God was sung by the Choir of St Gregorios’ Indian Orthodox Church.









This was a historic night of fellowship and witness that will continue the valuable work of this Forum throughout the United Kingdom.

 



All photographs © Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk



Press Release: Final five Papal candidates announced

PRESS RELEASE
For immediate use
Date: 13 Oct 2012

The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre UK

Media and Communications Office

His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, announced the final 5 candidates for papacy following the official announcement of the Coptic Orthodox Church Nominations Committee.

On 13 October 2012, His Grace Bishop Angaelos announced the final 5 candidates for papacy following the official announcement, in Egypt, of the Coptic Orthodox Church Nominations Committee. 

Two of the papal candidates are bishops and three are monks. The candidates are:

Bishop Roufail
Bishop Tawadros
Father Rafael Ava-Mina
Father Pakhamious El-Souriani
Father Seraphim El-Souriani   

The final 5 candidates will be put forward for the papal election on 24 November, where the list will be reduced to 3 candidates. The new pope to succeed the late Pope Shenouda III will be chosen on 2 December 2012 from among those three by altar ballot, and enthroned later that month. Pope Shenouda III departed on 17 March 2012 after forty-one years of papacy.

*Ends*

For more information please contact:

Angela Mikhail
Media and Communications Officer 
The Coptic Orthodox Church UK 
Tel: +44 (0)207 1937076 

Media and Public Relations Office 
The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre 
Shephalbury Manor
Broadhall Way, Stevenage
Hertfordshire SG2 8NP
England, United Kingdom

Tel.: +44 (0)207 1937076
Fax: +44 (0)1438 313879
Office Email: Media@CopticCentre.com
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Press Release: Statement by HG Bishop Angaelos RE alleged Coptic involvement in film 'Innocence of Muslims' and the resulting unrest

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate use
Date: 14 Sep 2012

The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre UK

Media and Public Relations Office

In relation to the claims of the alleged involvement of Coptic Christians in the film ‘Innocence of Muslims’ and the resulting unrest in the Middle East, His Grace Bishop Angaelos has released a statement.

“It is of course the right of individuals or groups to protest in a responsible manner against conduct that insults what they hold sacred. Having said that, as these protests continue to escalate, sometimes dangerously out of hand, there must be a realisation that in Egypt, its surrounding region, and beyond, it is only local citizens and communities, and the reputation of these states that is being damaged through such aggressive and violent behaviour.”

The full statement is available here.

***Ends***

For more information please contact our media and public relations office:

Media and Public Relations Officer
The Coptic Orthodox Church UK
Tel: +44 (0)207 1937076
    
Media and Public Relations Office
The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre
Shephalbury Manor
Broadhall Way, Stevenage
Hertfordshire SG2 8NP
England, United Kingdom

Tel.:+44 (0)207 1937076     
Fax: +44 (0)1438 313879
Office Email: Media@CopticCentre.com
Website: www.CopticCentre.com
Blog: www.CopticCentre.Blogspot.com
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A response to the Government Equalities Office consultation on same–sex civil marriage from the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom

A response to the Government Equalities Office consultation on same–sex civil marriage from the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom

In response to the current government consultation, the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom cannot support the proposal relating to same-sex civil marriage.

As a traditional Christian Church with its foundation firmly set upon divine Scripture, ‘marriage’ has a very particular meaning as outlined in the book of Genesis and reaffirmed in the Gospel of St. Matthew “…a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” Marriage, as it stands, benefits society in many ways by being a monogamous loving relationship that allows for a wonderful union that potentially brings forth a new life, and celebrates the distinguishing and complementary differences between a man and a woman. ‘Marriage’ is by no means a term that discriminates but rather, distinguishes one type of union from another. With this in mind we would ask the Government Equalities Office to carefully consider the following:

1. While this current Consultation attempts to reassure by claiming that “the Government does not propose to open up religious marriage to same-sex couples”, the term ‘marriage’ in itself is one that has been utilised within a religious context for millennia, and applied to a sanctified and Sacramental union between a man and a woman. The mere redefinition of this term as proposed would indeed change the meaning as commonly defined and understood, and would in turn place unnecessary pressure and expectation upon religious institutions to move in the same direction.
2. There is no apparent benefit to society arising from the redefinition of ‘marriage’ to incorporate ‘civil marriage’, as Civil Partnerships currently allow for equal rights and responsibilities. To alter this definition is to undoubtedly directly impact religious institutions, undermine the sanctity and uniqueness of ‘marriage’ and infringe upon freedom of religious practice. 
3. From a legal perspective, the presence of potentially ambiguous laws and loose terminology surrounding this issue is likely to lead to an imposition on religious institutions, especially in considering the various recent rulings of the European courts on matters of state security, deportation and other such issues that have infringed upon practice within the United Kingdom. 
4. It must be noted that the use of inaccurate and emotive language referring to a “ban on same-sex marriage”, erroneously implies that such partnerships once existed and were then “banned”, and this is clearly not the case.

Based upon the observations above, we would urge the Government Equalities Office to consider the potential effects and side-effects of this matter very carefully, and find favourably with respect to leaving the ancient sanctified and honourable institution of marriage as it has stood for millennia.


For more information please contact:

Media and Public Relations Officer
The Coptic Orthodox Church UK
Tel: +44 (0)207 1937076

Media and Public Relations Office
The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre
Shephalbury Manor
Broadhall Way, Stevenage
Hertfordshire SG2 8NP
England, United Kingdom

Tel.: +44 (0)207 1937076
Fax: +44 (0)1438 313879
Office Email: Media@CopticCentre.com
Website: www.CopticCentre.com
Blog: www.CopticCentre.Blogspot.com
Follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CopticMediaUK
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/CopticMediaUK