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

Catholic Church at present, which can only be met by providing them with
institutions that do not exist today.
However we recognise that the setting up of Catholic institutions has at times resulted
in expansion of the Catholic Church at the expense of the Orthodox. Therefore we
could accept a formulation of a recommendation, which states that, the Catholic
Church carry out its pastoral activities within the framework of structures and
institutions already existing, and that any changes in these be determined uniquely by
needs of its own faithful.
Whatever may have been attitudes in the past, we wish to state clearly that the
Catholic Church does not consider the Coptic Orthodox as objects of a “mission” . If
there is to be any pastoral work among Orthodox it must be done with the knowledge,
approval and cooperation of the Orthodox authorities and without the intention of
having people pass from one Church to the other. For this reason, we feel it
necessary that there be frequent and regular contacts between the bishops and
religious superiors of the Catholic Church and those of the Orthodox Church. These
are absolutely necessary to create that atmosphere of respect and confidence that are
lacking at present. It would help both parties to meet concrete pastoral needs of their
people without fear of creating, friction and competition. It would also help resolve
specific cases arising out of disputes within parishes or communities or where
individuals may have particular problems or conscience. Above all, it would help the
ordinary faithful see that we are moving towards unity with full respect of each other,
with a desire to overcome past errors and with no intention of taking advantage of the
other party.
The local joint committee can be of great help in making investigations and offering
advice. We are happy to see that the Vienna meeting recommended reinforcing its
work and clarifying its authority. We shall remain in close contact with the local
Catholic authorities to achieve this. However, we are convinced that, in the long run,
only if regular and systematic consultation among the authorities of the two Churches
take place will it be possible to meet the fears, preoccupations and desires expressed
in the Vienna report.
Furthermore, there is one point that I think I must mention in all frankness. The
authorities of our Church in Rome will make every effort to implement the
recommendations of the Vienna meeting, along the lines I have indicated. However,
in our contacts with Catholic representatives at all levels - bishops, agents of Catholic
fund agencies, religious superiors, laymen - we have encountered a hesitation to go
further towards implementing the Vienna proposals because of a practice, recently
introduced in the Coptic Orthodox Church, of refusing to recognise baptism
conferred in the Catholic Church and therefore of insisting that this holy sacrament
be conferred again on any Catholic who wishes to enter the Orthodox Church. By
questioning the validity of Catholic baptism in these cases, the Coptic Orthodox
Church seems to deny the very existence of the Catholic Church with its hierarchy,
liturgy, sacraments, etc. which have their foundation in the sacrament of baptism.
This practice has been the occasion of crises of conscience and of bitterness among
Catholics. Many individuals and organisations see it as an obstacle to their putting
themselves at the service of the Orthodox authorities and to establishing the
cooperation we all desire. Until this practice, which has not been part of the long
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