Coptic Church & Ecumenical Movement - Saint Mina Coptic ...

THE LAMBETH CONFERENCE
The ten yearly gathering of the Bishops of the Anglican Communion, known as the
Lambeth Conference met at Canterbury in July 1988. The question of ordination of
women to the priesthood and to the episcopate was on the agenda for discussion and
debate. Representatives from churches are invited to attend as observers. Pope
Shenouda delegated Metropolitan Bishoy of Damyatt and General Secretary of the
Holy Synod; carrying an open message regarding the ordination of women in a sixpage
document, with twelve headed sections and a total of thirty paragraphs. The
message is as follows:
Our main source of reference in this subject is the Holy Bible, where we may find the
relevant Divine inspiration “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2
Timothy 3:16).
In our search for the truth we cannot rely on our own wisdom but must go back to
Scripture in accordance with the word of God: “My son, do not forget my law, but let
your heart keep my commands…Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on
your own understanding...Do not be wise in your own eyes...Happy is the man who
finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding...Her ways are ways of
pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold
of her, and happy are all who retain her.” (Proverbs 3:1,5,7,13,17,18).
We do not have the right to lay down any teaching, legislation or order that does not
comply with the Bible. In his Epistle to the Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul urges
them “stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or
our epistle.” (2 Thessalonians 2:15). He warns them against any “brother who walks
disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.” (2
Thessalonians 3:6).
Our secondary source of reference is Church Tradition, particularly in the early period
when she received the doctrine from our Lord and the Apostles directly. From the
above-mentioned sources we shall find the following:
1. The inadmissibility of women teaching in the Church
Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman
to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was
formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being
deceived, fell into transgression.” (1 Timothy 2:11-14).
It will be noted here that Saint Paul’s teaching provides justification for such a
prohibition, which has no connection with either the social conditions of the time,
or the particular conditions of Timothy’s church. He based his teaching on the
state of man and woman even before their departure from paradise.
If woman is not allowed to teach in the church, it is all the more reason that she is
not entitled to hold any of the ecclesiastical orders, since they continue ministry
and teaching side by side.
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