Catholic-Coptic joint declaration: an important ecumenical milestone

[rug]

Pope Francis and Coptic Pope Tawadros II sign a common declaration during the papal visit to Cairo on April 28th and 29th 2017 - ANSA

09/05/2017 18:13

(Vatican Radio) - As Pope Francis prepares for his next pastoral visit to Portugal on Friday, analysts are reflecting on the important ecumenical and interfaith fruits of his historic visit to Egypt.

Among the most powerful images of his brief trip to Cairo were his warm embrace with the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Sheik Ahmed Al-Tayeb and an ecumenical encounter at a Coptic church where 29 people died in a suicide bombing last December. The Pope stood in prayer in front of the bloodstained wall, lighting a candle beside photos of those who were killed in the attack.

Just before the ecumenical prayer service at the church of Saints Peter and Paul, Pope Francis and the Coptic Orthodox leader Pope Tawadros II also signed a joint declaration, reaffirming their shared roots in faith and stating their desire to end the practice of re-baptising converts. The statement also calls for a common translation of the Lord’s Prayer and a common date for the celebration of Easter.

To find out more about the significance of this declaration, Philippa Hitchen spoke to the emeritus rector of the Pontifical University of St Anselm, Benedictine Father Mark Sheridan, who serves on the commission for dialogue between the Catholic and the Oriental Orthodox Churches…

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/05/09/catholic-coptic_declaration_important_ecumenical_milestone/1311072

7:21 audio at link.

[hunter]

1. That's progress.

The wheels turn slowly forward.

It won't matter to the areligious and antireligious, but this will be comforting and helpful for many faithful.

[rug]

2. Agreed.

With churches this ancient, there are many old wounds still to heal.