Catholic Clergy Take Part in Opening of Council of Churches’ First Annual Priests and Pastors Conference in Ibar, Egypt

The Catholic Church in Egypt took part, through a number of priests, in the opening of the annual conference of the Committee of Priests and Pastors at the Council of Churches of Egypt. The conference, held under the slogan “The Stone of the Gaps,” took place at Beit Mar Mina in Ibar.

The opening session began with spiritual songs, followed by a written reflection. Participants also remembered a former patron connected with the committee’s work and expressed condolences on his move. They said he had a clear and influential footprint on the committee’s work.

Later in the program, spiritual readings were presented by parents from the Catholic Church in Egypt. Father Peter Anwar, pastor of the Holy Family Church, then gave a lecture on the main challenges facing priests in their family lives. He stressed the importance of the family as a small church, which should reflect the body of Christ, recognize the challenges it faces, and respond to them in a spirit of faith and responsibility (Psalm 133:1).

The lecture included a time for dialogue. Participants divided into small working groups to discuss a range of questions about these challenges, followed by general discussion and an exchange of experiences.

Father Boutros then reviewed several common challenges and offered practical approaches for addressing them. He focused on the responsibility of the shepherd, his role in meeting these challenges, and his support for the families he serves.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Arabic)