New pope for Egypt’s coptics
31 Oct 2012 5:06 AM IST
Egypt’s Coptic Christians voted on Monday for a new leader to succeed Pope Shenuda III, who died in March leaving behind a community anxious about its status under an Islamist-led government.
The death of Shenuda, who headed the church for four decades, set in motion the process to elect a new patriarch to lead the community through the post-revolution era in Egypt, which is marked by increased sectarian tension.
Five candidates – two bishops and three monks –are vying to become the 118th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of All Africa in the Holy See of St Mark the Apostle.
A council of senior clergy, current and former Coptic public officials, MPs, local councillors and journalists will cast a vote for their preferred candidate.
The names of the top three vote-getters will then be written on separate pieces of paper and placed in a box on the altar of St Mark’s Cathedral in Cairo.
The death of Shenuda, who headed the church for four decades, set in motion the process to elect a new patriarch to lead the community through the post-revolution era in Egypt, which is marked by increased sectarian tension.
Five candidates – two bishops and three monks –are vying to become the 118th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of All Africa in the Holy See of St Mark the Apostle.
A council of senior clergy, current and former Coptic public officials, MPs, local councillors and journalists will cast a vote for their preferred candidate.
The names of the top three vote-getters will then be written on separate pieces of paper and placed in a box on the altar of St Mark’s Cathedral in Cairo.
Next Story
