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Statement From the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church
The Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church,in his meeting of Wednesday
morning 3rd of Sept. 2003 presided by His Holiness Pope
Shenouda III, in Saint Anthony Church, in the Papal Residence
Anba Rewis Bldg., Cairo, after discussing the actions of some
Western Churches, trying to legalize Homosexuality, Same-sex marriage,
the ordination of homosexuals in different pastoral degrees, and the
process to ordain a homosexual bishop in the Episcopal Church of New
Hampshire, U.S.A., consequently - in this special meeting - the Holy
Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church decided anonemously the
strong condemnation of these acts, that violate the teachings of our
Lord Jesus Christ, and the Scriptures: Old and New Testaments. This
complies with our responsibility to witness for the truth of the Gospel.
1- Jesus Christ condemned
homosexuality in an explicit way, when He spoke about the
devastation of Sodom & Gomorrah (Luke 10:12). See also
(Gen. 19:24 - Jud. 7). The Holy Bible warns also
saying: “Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor
idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor Sodomites, nor
thieves... will inherit the Kingdom of God” (1Cor.
6:9,10). See also (Rom. 1:26-32), and what is
mentioned in Old Testament: “If a man also lie with mankind, as
he lieth a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they
shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them”
(Lev. 8:22 -Lev. 20:13).
2- Same - sex marriage is
against the Divine plan for marriage and its purpose of procreation:
“But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male
and female, for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother,
and be joined to his wife” (Mk. 10:6,7). See
also (Matt. 19:4-6, Eph. 5:31, Gen. 1:27, Gen. 2:24).
3- Those who are ordained for
Church ministry must uphold the teachings of the Holy Bible. “The
bishop must be blameless... of good behavior.. able to teach”
(1Tim. 3:2).
Consequently, we disapprove and condemn strongly the
same - sex marriage generally, and the ordination of homosexuals, which
is more erroneous, and more dangerous.
The Holy Synod declares:
1- That these movements
contradict the teachings of the Holy Bible, and threaten the
stability of natural marriage, the nature of forming a family, the
morals of the society, the purity of the Church, the future of the
efforts towards Christian unity, and the Ecumenical movements.
2- Those who rely on the chains
of human rights to encourage homosexuality, neglect the fact that it
is not the right of
any person to spoil himself or the other. Real freedom does not ruin
the human nature, nor contradict with the Divine Commandments,
morals, and general ethics.
3- We applaud the courageous
voices, in and outside those Churches, which oppose Homosexuality,
Same - Sex Marriage, ordination of Homosexuals in pastoral orders.
We call these Churches to obey the Biblical Teachings without
compromise or change. The members of these Churches has no right to
vote on the Biblical Divine Commandments.
4- This abnormal conduct is a
stumbling block for other people, bad example and fame, and
dangerous for the future of these Churches themselves leading to
divisions and disintegration.
5- While we condemn
homosexuality, we invite those who are under this sin to repent out
of concern for their eternal life.
Our Holy Synod decided to publish
this statement on all possible Media inside
and outside Egypt, and to send it to all
Ecumenical Councils, such as the World Council
of Churches, the Middle East Council of
Churches, The Councils of America, Canada, Europe, Australia, and Africa. |