Pope Shenouda III strongly condemned the verdict issued last
month, which he said goes against the law of the Bible. He said priests who
perform these marriages, along with those requesting to remarry, will not be
allowed to enter the church again as they are considered “deviants.” He
explained only those divorced on grounds of adultery can remarry.
“The issue of remarriage for those divorced is a
specifically religious matter that only the Bible can dictate,” Shenouda said.
Shenouda warned that this ruling endangers the church's
relations with the state and could alienate Copts. While Islam is the dominant
religion of Egypt, Copts make up less than 10 percent of the population and
they often feel underrepresented.
“The outcome of this decision is very bad. Causing a rift in
society is not in the country's interest,” Shenouda said.
According to Al-Ahram, a state-owned newspaper, judges of
the Higher Administrative Court defended the ruling, stating that it was passed
in accordance with the Egyptian constitution, which gives every citizen the
right to start a family.
However, the pope said any legal verdicts that go against
the Bible and the decrees of the church are “unacceptable” to the Coptic
conscience.
Youssef Sidhom, a member of the Copts' secular council, said
the Coptic Church should have the same right to decide on civil matters for its
community as Egypt's Al-Azhar institution, which gives such guidance to Sunni
Muslims.
“The Pope has every right to condemn such a verdict as it's
a direct attack against the church,” Sidhom said.
“It is a blow to the church's body. Marriage cannot go
against the Bible and this new verdict does just that.”
