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

In 1961 the assembly was held in New Dehli with the theme: “Jesus Christ – The
Light of the World”. Representing the Coptic Church was Reverend Father Makarii
El Souryani.
In 1968 the assembly was back in Europe and was held in Uppasla, Sweden with the
theme: “Behold I Make All Things New”. The Coptic delegation consisted of
H.G.Bishop Samuel and Reverend Father Salib Suriel of St. Mark’s Church Giza.
The fifth assembly took place in 1975 in Kenya with the theme: “Jesus Christ Frees
and Unites”. Representing the Coptic Church were their Grace Bishop Samuel,
Bishop Athanasius of Beni Suef, Bishop Bakhomious of Beherra and the very
Reverend Father Antonious Ragheb of St. George Church New Jersey.
Vancouver in Canada was the venue of the sixth assembly in 1983 carrying the theme:
“Jesus Christ The Life Of The World”. Representing the Coptic Church was H.G.
Metropolitan Athanasius of Beni Swef, His Grace Bishop Antonious Marcos, Bishop
of African Affairs and Dr. Elrahib.
The seventh assembly was in Canberra, Australia in February 1991 with the theme:
“Come Holy Spirit Renew the Whole Of Creation”. The Coptic delegation consisted
of: His Holiness Pope Shenouda; Metropolitan Bakhomous of Beherra; Metropolitan
Bishoy, General Secretary of the Holy Synod; Bishop Paula of Tanta; Bishop Moussa,
Bishop for Youth Affairs; Bishop Serapion, Bishop of Los Angles, Reverend Father
Antonious Thabet, of St. Mark’s Church, London; Very Reverend Father Gabriel
Abdel Sayed, of St. Mark’s Church, New Jersey, Dr. Marcelle Hanna from Los
Angels (Woman representative), Ms Jackie Malek and Mr Maged Attia (youth
representatives). At the conclusion of the assembly, His Holiness Pope Shenouda was
elected one of eight presidents of the WCC.
“Turn to God, rejoice in hope”, was the theme of the 8 th Assembly of the WCC which
convened in Zimbabwe in December 1998. The Coptic delegation was: Metropolitan
Bishoy (head), Bishop Antonious Markos, Bishop Serapion of L.A., Bishop Dimian
of Germany, Bishop Youannis, Bishop Paul of Mission, Bishop Suriel of Melbourne,
Father Antonious Thabet of London, Dr. Marcelle Hanna, Dr. Wedad Abbas, Mr.
Girgis Saleh, Mr. Bishoy Mikhail (youth).
THE ORTHODOX CHURCHES AND THE WCC
The purpose and vision of the WCC on the eve of its golden jubilee was under review
by its members. The Orthodox Churches, in particular, have expressed serious
concerns about the direction, policies and decisions of the WCC. At the WCC 7 th
assembly in Canberra in February 1991, these concerns are summarised in a statement
issued by the Orthodox Churches:
The Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox delegates and participants at the
Seventh Assembly of the World Council of Churches meeting in Canberra, Australia,
want to communicate with all in attendance through this statement in order to express
to them some concerns. We preface our comments with an expression of appreciation
to the World Council of Churches for its many contributions to the development of
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