Press Release from the Coptic Orthodox Church
in the United Kingdom following the departure of Sherif Habib
27 April 2016
During
this Holy Week, our whole community is shocked and saddened by the news of the
departure of one of our young men, Sherif Habib. His Holiness Pope Tawadros II,
Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark, called personally to convey his condolences to Sherif’s family and the Coptic community in London. His
Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the
United Kingdom, accompanied by Father Thomas Ghobrial, made a pastoral visit to
the family yesterday.
Speaking after his visit with Sherif’s
parents, Bishop Angaelos said:
“The loss of any life brings sadness, but the loss of a
young man who had just completed his studies and was embarking on the next
stage of his life is especially tragic. We pray repose for Sherif and comfort for
his family, who are understandably experiencing great pain at this time, as
well as for his friends and wider community. We are also reminded during this
Holy Week, and as we approach the Feast of the Resurrection, that our hope is
in the Risen Lord, and so we pray that He comfort Sherif’s family and all who
mourn this tragic loss.”
Their
Excellencies the Egyptian Ambassador to the United Kingdom and the Consul-General
in London have visited the family to express their condolences. Egyptian
officials in London were initially contacted by a priest of one of our London
parishes at the request of the family.
Due
to the ongoing official investigation by the Metropolitan Police Service in
London, there are no further details at this time.
At
this difficult time and in this period of mourning, press and media are asked
to respect the privacy of the family.
Statement by His Grace Bishop Angaelos,
General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom on the
upcoming Genocide debate in the House of Commons
19 April 2016
With the recent welcomed recognition
by the European Parliament and the United States Congress and Administration of
‘acts of genocide’ against Christians, Yazidis, and other minorities in Syria
and Iraq, the upcoming House of Commons debate on this matter will be looked
upon with anticipation by many.
As the issue of genocide is
deliberated upon in light of the genuine suffering of vulnerable men, women and
children, we pray wisdom upon all those taking part in the debate.
If
the British Parliament recognises these violations as genocide, along with
other parliamentary bodies around the world, this will allow an essential
co-ordinated approach across the international community for the protection of the
sanctity and dignity of God-given human life.
While appreciative of all that
continues to be done around the world, including this upcoming debate, the solution
at the heart of the issue is a realisation of the value of every life. This is
why we not only pray for those who fall victim to these crimes, but for those
who continue to carry them out, that there is a greater understanding of our
shared humanity and the pain and loss that is caused to us all through the
taking of any life.
Coptic
Orthodox Church UK Media and Communications Office
Coptic
Orthodox Church (Europe) Media and Communications Office
Comment by His Grace Bishop
Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom on
the emergence of revelations relating to the Archbishop of Canterbury
9 April 2016
The emergence of revelations
relating to our dear brother Archbishop Justin and his family remind us of the
vulnerability of anyone who takes public office, and more so those who are
called to public ministry. These revelations would have been startling and
painful enough for any individual and his family to learn and process, but to
have them revealed and discussed so publicly will need a very particular grace.
Thankfully however, we know that this grace is in no short supply in the lives
of Archbishop Justin and his family.
‘I
have had a life of great blessing and wonderful support, especially from
Caroline and our children, as well as a great many wonderful friends and
family. My own experience is typical of many people. To find that one's father
is other than imagined is not unusual. To be the child of families with great
difficulties in relationships, with substance abuse or other matters, is far
too normal.
This
revelation has, of course, been a surprise, but in my life and in our marriage
Caroline and I have had far worse. I know that I find who I am in Jesus Christ,
not in genetics, and my identity in him never changes. Even more importantly my
role as Archbishop makes me constantly aware of the real and genuine pain and
suffering of many around the world, which should be the main focus of our prayers.
Although
there are elements of sadness, and even tragedy in my father's (Gavin Welby’s)
case, this is a story of redemption and hope from a place of tumultuous
difficulty and near despair in several lives. It is a testimony to the grace
and power of Christ to liberate and redeem us, grace and power which is offered
to every human being.
At the
very outset of my inauguration service three years ago, Evangeline
Kanagasooriam, a young member of the Canterbury Cathedral congregation, said:
“We greet you in the name of Christ. Who are you, and why do you request
entry?” To which I responded: “I am Justin, a servant of Jesus Christ, and I
come as one seeking the grace of God to travel with you in His service
together.” What has changed? Nothing!’
I know that it is
unconventional to quote such a long passage from another’s statement, but I
found the archbishop’s to be very moving indeed, and indicative of the peace,
love, forgiveness and resolve that we are not only all called to, but all
endowed with if we but allow God’s healing, reconciling and comforting presence
in our lives. This is of course also indicative of the personable and ‘real’
character we have all come to know to be Justin Welby, who, I am confident,
will have this experience further enrich his ministry of compassion.
We pray for Archbishop Justin
and his family, and particularly his mother, as they deal with this challenging
time, and for all those unknown to us who must go through similar experiences
every day, but who may not be so supported. We also pray healing for every
pain, reconciliation for every struggle, and hope for every apparently hopeless
situation.
HG Bishop Angaelos conferred the Lambeth Cross for Ecumenism by HG the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace days after receiving the Coventry Cross of Nails at Coventry Cathedral
1 April 2016
The
Lambeth Cross for Ecumenism was conferred upon His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General
Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, by the Archbishop
of Canterbury, the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby, on 31 March
2016 at Lambeth Palace. The Lambeth Cross has been the highest honour bestowed
by the Archbishop of Canterbury since 1939 and is conferred to distinguished hierarchs
who have rendered exceptional services to the cause of Christian unity.
Speaking
directly to Bishop Angaelos in an interview after conferring him with the Lambeth
Cross the Archbishop said:
“My
encounter with Orthodoxy through you has been a really profound experience in
my life. It has changed much of my understanding of what the Church is
universally. I have never had that much engagement with Orthodoxy, and
certainly not with Coptic Orthodoxy. I found a completely different
understanding, a much deeper sense of being drawn into the Body of Christ, and
this is a recognition of the importance of your role in presenting to the
United Kingdom and to the Church that we belong to one another in Christ.”
Speaking of the effect
of his encounter with Orthodoxy, Archbishop Justin went on to say:
“[this]
has been a major step forward in my own spiritual journey, and His Grace has
been a major feature in that; and it is part of what he has done in England
across many communities, including of course with His Royal Highness the Prince
of Wales.”
In response to the
Archbishop’s comments, Bishop Angaelos said:
“This has been a
wonderful time for a great partnership. The fact that there is an opportunity
to work with Your Grace, with the Church of England, and with the Anglican
Communion worldwide to advocate for others is wonderful because it comes at a
time at which we must stand together. Your Grace and the Church of England have
been very vocal on these issues, along with, as you mentioned, His Royal
Highness the Prince of Wales. It is time for us to speak collaboratively and
powerfully. It is only by the world seeing us standing together and witnessing
that what we have in common is more than what separates us, that it realises that
we have common ground, especially for those who are not so privileged as we are
to speak.”
The
ceremony was followed by evensong in the Archbishop’s Chapel and a reception in
the Guard room, after which Bishop Angaelos said:
“I am
honoured and humbled to receive the Lambeth Cross from His Grace the Archbishop
of Canterbury. I believe this is a crucial time for us to work and witness
together as Churches, Christian leaders and Christians as a whole, to send a
more positive and encouraging message of who we are and what we stand for, and
to speak for those who struggle here in Britain, in the Middle East and around
the world. We are very fortunate to have strong ecumenical ties in Britain, and
a visible unity and collaboration that makes the Church relevant and its input
effective, and for this we must all be extremely thankful.”
Going
on to say:
“At a
time of increasing challenge and darkness, when there appears to be no hope,
and those who threaten us appear to be stronger, our hope and strength lies
well and truly in our unity, in our shared vision, and in our commitment to do
what we can, not only for ourselves but for the world around us.”
Photographs above by Martin R Williams
Earlier in the week, after having preached at
the Easter Sunday Coventry Cathedral service at the invitation of the Bishop of
Coventry, His Grace Bishop Christopher Cocksworth, Bishop Angaelos was also
awarded the Coventry Cross of Nails
in recognition of his work on reconciliation by the Dean of Coventry Cathedral,
the Very Reverend John Witcombe. The Coventry Cross of Nails is recognised
throughout the world as a symbol of peace and reconciliation. Although it has
been awarded to hundreds of charities and organisations over many years, it is
only rarely presented to individuals.
Commenting on the week,
Bishop Angaelos said:
“Building bridges,
forging relationships and engaging in partnership and collaboration is
something I believe we must all be committed to on a daily basis. I am thankful
to be surrounded by many good friends with whom I work so closely and am honoured
to have received this recognition from not only the ‘Archbishop of Canterbury’,
the ‘Bishop of Coventry’, and the ‘Dean of Coventry’ but from dear friends and brothers
in a shared ministry and witness.”
These two awards were preceded by Bishop
Angaelos being conferred the honour of Officer of the Most Excellent Order of
the British Empire for ‘Services to International Religious Freedom’ by Her
Majesty The Queen in 2015. These three awards represent three core components
of His Grace’s ministry: Ecumenism, Reconciliation and Religious Freedom,
alongside his pastoral and youth ministry.
