Noosa_1978
posted on Jun 12, 2008 - 02:35 AM
Another major difference of opinions between Sadat and Pope Shenouda III is the attitude of the latter regarding the normalization of the relations between Egypt and Israel. In fact, there is currently (as of 2006) a papal decree issued by Pope Shenouda III that anathematizes any Copt who visits the Christian holy places in Jerusalem and Israel.[7] According to that decree, such Copts are automatically banned from receiving Holy Communion in the Coptic Orthodox Church, with no venue or mechanism being offered to them for repentance and lifting of this ban. Pope Shenouda III has repeatedly declared that Christians must only visit Jerusalem hand in hand with their Muslim brothers after the conflict with Israel is resolved to the satisfaction of all parties.
An additional motivation for supporting the ban on trips to Jerusalem, beyond solidarity, involves some tension that arose over a dispute about possession of some property in the Church of the Resurrection which was wrongfully removed from the possession of the Coptic Church.
If one of us was to visit Isreal, would we necessarily be banned from taking communion?
