Bishop
Tawadros has been selected to become the new pope for Egypt’s ancient Coptic
Christian. In an elaborate ceremony, three names of senior clerics were put in
a chalice and a blindfolded fold was made to pick from the chalice as to who
will become the next pope, “the act was believed to reflect God’s will in the
choice”. Coptic Christians are estimated to be 10 percent of the 83 million
people of Egypt. The senior clerics nominated were all consensus candidates chosen
because they stayed out of disputes within the church and with other groups. The
group has been fearful because of the rise of Islamists after the ouster of
Hosni Mubarak. The previous pope had a close relationship with Mubarak. The Christians
relied on the church for their rights and protection. Now that Mubarak has been
ousted, the group’s relation with the state is in limbo. Most members want to
assert their rights, better representation and freedom of worship from the new
government.
by
Albert Aguirre
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