Coptic Catholic Bishops Meet with Pope Francis

Copts in Egypt remain divided between the Coptic Orthodox and Coptic Catholic communities, with tensions often exacerbated by attacks on religious sites. In December of the previous year, an attack on the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Cairo resulted in the deaths of 25 Orthodox Copts. While Pope Francis expressed condolences, the Coptic Orthodox Patriarch Tawadros II took the lead in conveying these sympathies.

The split between Copts and the broader Christian Church dates back to 451, when the Copts rejected the doctrine of monophysism—asserting that Christ had only one divine nature—at the Council of Chalcedon. Despite several attempts at reconciliation with Rome, a formal union was achieved in 1895 when Pope Leo XIII established the Patriarchate of Coptic Catholics, followed by a minority of Copts. As of 2016, the Coptic Catholic Church had eight eparchies (dioceses) and approximately 175,039 faithful, a decline from over 250,039 in 2005.

The Coptic Catholic Church operates within a single ecclesial province, Egypt, and is supported by three religious congregations: the Sisters of the Sacred Heart, the Coptic Sisters of Jesus and Mary, and the Egyptian province of the Little Sisters of Jesus. An ancient community of Franciscans, known as Antonio/Nicarch, also exists within the tradition.

In a letter dated May 10, 2022, Pope Francis emphasized that “friendship is the surest way to complete unity among Christians,” addressing Pope Alexander Tawadros II, patriarch of the See of St. Mark, on the occasion of the Day of Friendship between Coptics and Catholics. This gesture highlights ongoing efforts to foster interfaith dialogue and cooperation.

Pope Francis’s visit to Egypt in 2017 marked a significant moment in interreligious relations, and his continued engagement with the Coptic community reflects a broader commitment to peace and mutual understanding. During a pastoral visit to Genoa in May 2022, he offered a moment of prayer for the victims of a recent attack in Egypt that killed at least 29 people, underscoring the Church’s concern for the safety of Christians worldwide.

Bishop Emmanuel Bishay, Coptic Catholic Bishop of Luxor, noted Pope Francis’s encouragement for the Church’s mission and service to Egyptian society, particularly in education and dialogue. These efforts align with a vision of Christian unity and shared responsibility in addressing the challenges faced by religious minorities.

Source: Read the original report (translated from French)