www.byzcath.org Forums News & Events Church News New Coptic Catholic Patriarch

The Synod of Bishops of the Coptic Catholic Church, meeting in Cairo, Egypt from March 27 to 30, 2006 accepted - in accordance with canon 126 para. 2 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, and having consulted the Supreme Pontiff - the resignation from office of His Beatitude Stephanos II Ghattas, C.M., patriarch of Alexandria of the Copts. On March 30, the same Synod, elected Bishop Antonios Naguib, emeritus of Minya of the Copts, Egypt as the new patriarch of Alexandria of the Copts. The patriarch-elect was born in Samalout, Egypt in 1935, and ordained a priest in 1960.

May God grant him many years!

Quote from Deacon Lance's post, "having consulted the Supreme Pontiff"


What rightly say does the Bishop of Rome have in the election of a Patriarch?

Perhaps everyone should take spundas's poll in Town Hall, "In Communion or Under." (Or some similar title like that)

InCogNeat3's,

First, other threads on this forum do not need cheerleaders directing posters to them. Our posters know how to find and post to threads of interest to them.

Second, as to your question, the following is from the CCEO, that governs all Eastern Catholic Churches:
And
In IC XC,
Father Anthony+
Moderator

The Pope of Rome was always notified on the election of a Patriarch in the Church of the first millenium, it is a matter of courtesy to do so!
Stephanos I

Yes, Patriarchs need to be informed of the election of another Patriarch. However, Deacon Lance's quote stated "Consulted" I took consulted to mean the Bishop of Rome had a say in the matter rather than the Bishop of Rome was informed of the election. I am sorry for misunderstanding the use of the word consulted.

All bishops of whatever rank value as a very high priority their communion with the Pope. He is the one with the special role from Peter which came to him from christ. All bishops acknowlege as part of good government in the Church that the Pope is the guardian of all standards. One of these is to ensure that all bishops are of the right sort to be Bishops, that Bishops are carrying out their duties to the faithful and the the Church to a standard. when Bishops want to step down no matter who they are they refer to the Pope as the senior Bishop. The Pope ensures that things run smoothly when bishops resign for what ever reason.

In this case the Bishops of the Coptic Patriarchate who esteme the Pope most highly after having ensured that the Pope has accepted the offer to resign of the Patriarch. Of course they know each other very well anyway. The Holy Synod having decided after prepartion of prayer have chosen one of their rank to fill the office.

All Patriarchs submit a profession of faith to the Pope. The Pope himself does this to the whole church from time to time. I was only reading the one of Pope Pius IX from the start of Vatican I the other day. They are very profound documents. The Pope then grants his recognition and when they meet the Pope will make a gift to the new Patriarch. Previously and it was abolished by Pope JPII the Pope would grant the Pallium.

For all Catholics it is the connection with the see of Peter, the Mother of the Churches that is paramount. As is the recognition of the special character of the Petrine Ministry, where the Pope ensures all is well among the Holy People of God.

It is quiet wrong to ridicule the responsibiities of the Pope, as in this case of the election of a new Patriarch. If anything it shows and appalling ignorance of the role of the Pope. The Coptic Catholic Patriarch (many years!), his bishops and faithful are very happy, so whats the problem?

ICXC
NIKA

Quite so, but they also notified all of the other Patriarchs. It would have been nice if the notice read that the Patriarchs of the church were consulted. The implication here is that the Pope is the only one who really matters, is that how you see it?

+T+
Michael

The only one who matters to Catholics is the Pope of Rome. Not connected here and your not inside the Church. End of story.

The Patriarch and other heads of Churches do contact each other as a matter of course, as explained in the canon posted by Fr reads.

ICXC
NIKA

Thank you for your response! I'll take that as a "none of your business".

I shall remember this the next time anyone laments that Holy Orthodoxy is so reluctant to 'reunite' with the Roman Catholic church. Despite your best ecumenical intentions, the inner workings of the Roman Catholic church are ultimately none of our business.

+T+
Michael, that sinner

You wanted to know about the role of the Pope in the process. I could not make it clearer. It is not the intention to tell you clear off. This is how it is in the Catholic camp. Communion with the Pope is everything.

ICXC
NIKA

Allegedly, anyway!

Logos Teen

quote:
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Originally posted by Pavel Ivanovich:
The only one who matters to Catholics is the Pope of Rome. Not connected here and your not inside the Church. End of story.

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I value Communion with other Churches very much. Particularly with Patriarch Lubomyr. I wish all Patriarchs were in Communion with eachother. To say the only one that matters to Catholics is the Pope of Rome is FALSE. That is saying that St. Peter and St. Andrew, Brothers in blood, Brothers in Christ, Brothers Apostles, Brother Bishops, Brother Patriarchs, etc. don't matter to eachother. I for one MUST care for Communion with my Brothers in Christ.

Dear Pavel Ivanovich,

Why would Hesychios want to be in such a Church that you claim doesn't even care about him?

Dear Pavel,

Please, please!

The ONLY one who matters to Catholics is the Pope?

If you are a Latin Catholic, yes!

He, the Pope, is not the only one who matters to me - my Patriarch matters and so does my bishop.

And what do you mean speaking that way to Michael?

You mean you don't comment about matters involving the Russian Orthodox Church?

Gimme a break!

Vozdrastviye.

Alex

Alex you know and I know there is no such thing as a Catholic Bishop who is in communion with the Pope being in communion with a bishop who is not in communion with Pope.

The heads of the various Catholic Churchs, as do all bishops of the Church value and respect the Petrine Ministry and have no problem in carrying out the Canons.

If in my attempt to explain that the issue of the Petrine Ministry is for ALL Catholics quiet clear (as in cut and dried) I have in some way offended Michael I am sorry.

ICXC
NIKA