For immediate use
Date: 30th May 2012
The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre UK
Media and Public Relations Office
Media and Public Relations Office
The Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church has announced the preliminary list of names presented to the Nominations Committee of those put forward as Papal candidates as part of the process of selecting a new pope to succeed His Holiness the late Pope Shenouda III, the 117th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of All Africa on the holy Apostolic See of Saint Mark. H.H. Pope Shenouda III departed on 17th March 2012 after forty-one years of papacy.
A final list of eligible voters is yet to be announced, and the period for challenges to be presented to the Nominations Challenges Committee with regards to Papal candidates will only commence once this is done.
The preliminary Papal candidate list is as follows:
Metropolitan Bishoy of Damietta
Bishop Youannes
Bishop Roufail
Bishop Pavnotious of Samalout
Bishop Boutros
Bishop Tawadros
Bishop Kirollos of Milan
Father Rafael Avva-Mina
Father Maximos El-Antony
Father Shenouda Anba-Bishoy
Father Pakhomous El-Souriani
Father Daniel El-Souriani
Father Anastasi El-Samuel
Father Bishoy Anba-Paula
Father Sawaries Anba-Paula
Father Seraphim El-Souriani
Father Pigol Anba-Bishoy
His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom has issued a detailed explanation of the papal selection process, along with a timeline which identifies key stages of the process, saying the following:
“This is an experience with which many will not have been involved in their lifetime, so it was important to provide a simplified explanation, allowing engagement at every level. Within these steps we find a robust process that includes: nominations from peers within the Holy Synod, nominations from laity through the General Lay Council, systematic scrutiny with a process of challenges and appeals, representative democratic election, and above all, the Altar Ballot that encompasses this whole process with a spirit of prayer and trustful submission to the will of God.”
For the explanation and timeline please visit the Blog or click here.
For more information or to arrange an interview with His Grace Bishop Angaelos please contact:
Media and Public Relations Officer
The Coptic Orthodox Church UK
Tel: +44 (0)207 1937076
Media and Public Relations Office
The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre
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Tel.: +44 (0)207 1937076
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