Synod of Coptic Church denies rumors of sacking Pope Tawadros II

CAIRO – 15 March 2019: The Committee of the Parish Affairs at the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church denied rumors on social media claiming that Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria was sacked from his position.

“The rumors of sacking Pope Tawadros are groundless and blaspheme the Synod,” the committee said in a statement on Thursday.

US-based channel called Kalimat Manfaea promoted for Pope Tawadros’ sacking and had posted a petition on social media platforms calling for his sacking. The petition cast doubts on the election of Pope Tawadros II for the position of Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark.

Copts of America Society has issued a statement on Thursday declaring their back to Pope Tawardos, saying that the rumors aim to create a state of rift in the Coptic Church.

The 66-year-old pope was elected for this position on November 19, 2012 at the Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral. Since then, Pope Tawadros II has adopted a reform program inside the Coptic Church, calling for the unity for the Muslims and Copts nationwide.

In the inauguration of a new mosque and a cathedral on January 2019, Pope Tawadros II said that inauguration of both religious institutions at the same tome is unprecedented at the world level, Egypt’s state-owned Middle East News Agency (MENA) reported.