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

INDEPENDENT AFRICAN CHURCHES
Through the visionary ecumenical work of His Grace Bishop Antonious Markos, the
Bishop of African Affairs, an International Association called Organisation of African
Independent Churches was conceived in 1978. Bishop Antonious Markos’ extensive
travels and meetings across several African Countries gave him opportunity to know
leaders of the African Independent Churches. When Bishop Antonious Markos asked
where they wished to conduct their 1 st meeting since 1860, they stated Egypt, the first
Apostolic country in Africa.
FIRST CONFERENCE
Pope Shenouda welcomed the opportunity to host the conference in Cairo, November
3 rd – 15 th 1978. The first plenary session of the Organisation of African Independent
Churches took place in the Conference Hall of the Bishopric of Public Ecumenical
and Social Services in St. Rowess Monastery. It was decided to establish an
organisation to work for the welfare of the African Independent Churches. These
churches sought liberation from colonialism and imperialism, which they vehemently
opposed.
The organisation was to be spiritual, educational and for training purposes only and
had no political purpose or activities. Bishop Antonious Markos was elected
secretary and primate of Adejobi and Right Reverend Aladura was elected
chairperson. Nairobi was selected as the headquarters of the organisation. It carried
out its activities from St. Anthony’s Coptic Monastery in Nairobi. In October 1982,
the O.A.I.C acquired a permanent residence in Nairobi.
SECOND CONFERENCE
With the assistance of the A.A.C.C, the 2 nd Conference of the Independent African
Churches was held in Nairobi in November 1982. It was officially opened by the
minister of local government in Kenya who representing the president Daniel Arap
Moi. Over 100 delegates attended representing over 56 churches across 19 African
countries.
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