The prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith's comments came after a meeting on May 22 with Coptic Pope Tawadros II.

In an interview with María Martínez López, a bioethics expert and editor of the Spanish Editor of 'Alfa & Omega', Fernadez said the meeting aimed to address concerns stemming from the declaration of Fiducia supplicans.

The Vatican's stance on same-sex unions has been a point of contention. It led to the suspension of dialogue by the Coptic Synod in March.

Although the issue was addressed at the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church in January, some US communities requested further clarification.

Cardinal Kurt Koch, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, proposed a personal meeting with Tawadros II. This was facilitated by Fernández with the approval of Pope Francis.

During the meeting, Fernández clarified that the Holy See does not endorse same-sex marriage. He noted that no Vatican document supports homosexual marriage.

Fernández stressed the importance of ecumenical dialogue which recognises and respects diverse pastoral practices and theological views. He reiterated that differences in pastoral praxis do not affect the shared Trinitarian and Christological faith as outlined in Unitatis Redintegratio.

Different theological languages

The personal meeting was deemed necessary to overcome the difficulties of different theological languages. Fernández described the atmosphere as cordial, with Tawadros II showing a sincere effort to understand the Vatican's position.

Regarding blessings for same-sex unions, Fernández clarified that the Church does not bless unions but may offer brief, individual prayers for persons in irregular unions. These blessings are not meant to ratify or approve any union, a point also emphasised by Pope Francis.

Fernández acknowledged that confusion and misunderstandings have arisen, due partly to misinterpretations by some Catholic media. He stressed that improper blessings are not widespread and that bishops generally adhere to Vatican guidelines.

The cardinal also pointed out that the Church faces more significant issues than this controversy and called for focusing on these crucial matters.

Fernández underscored that the Vatican's role is not to conduct a "witch hunt" but to provide clear guidance and support. The cardinal also stressed the need for charity and understanding in addressing these issues within the Church.

Sources

Catholic Culture

Alpha & Omega

CathNews New Zealand

However, the meeting highlighted a rare agreement between the Catholic and Coptic Orthodox Churches on their stance against homosexual relationships.

During their meeting, Pope Tawadros II expressed his concerns directly, urging clarity and consistency in upholding traditional Christian values.

Cardinal Fernández responded by acknowledging the importance of these values. He also mentioned the need for ongoing dialogue to address and bridge any misunderstandings or disagreements that arise.

This encounter follows the Vatican's controversial clarification outlined in "Fiducia Supplicans", allowing for a non-liturgical same-sex blessing for couples. Some have interpreted this as a shift in the Church's position on homosexuality.

In response to the publication, the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church suspended theological dialogue with the Catholic Church. The Synod also adopted a fundamental statement in which it reaffirmed its rejection of homosexual acts.

This suspension underscored the seriousness with which the Coptic Church regards the matter. It views any form of blessing for same-sex unions as contradictory to Christian doctrine.

Cardinal Fernández, head of the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, reassured Pope Tawadros that these blessings are not equivalent to the sacrament of marriage.

The declaration "Dignitas Infinita" also makes it abundantly clear that the Catholic Church completely rejects same-sex marriages.

Path of Love

Fernández emphasised the Catholic Church's adherence to traditional teachings on marriage as a union exclusively between a man and a woman. This position aligns with the beliefs of the Coptic Orthodox Church which has a similar doctrinal stance on homosexuality and marriage.

According to a news release issued by the Coptic Church, Tawadros told Fernández there is a path of love between the two churches. He also stressed the importance of dialogue.

Tawadros called for evaluating the results achieved by the Catholic-Oriental Orthodox Dialogue Commission over its 20 years of existence. He also expressed the need for more effective methods and mechanisms for the Commission's work.

Pope Francis met with Tawadros in May 2023 to mark the 50-year anniversary of restored relations between the Catholic Church and the Coptic Orthodox Church. However since March, formal ecumenical dialogue remains suspended.

Sources

Katholisch

Catholic News Agency

CathNews New Zealand

The Patriarchate of Alexandria and Coptic officials have labelled same-sex blessings as heresy.

The Holy Synod of the ancient Coptic Orthodox Church, based in Egypt, announced the suspension on March 7.

"After consulting with the sister churches of the Eastern Orthodox family" they wrote, "it was decided to suspend the theological dialogue with the Catholic Church, reevaluate the results achieved by the dialogue from its beginning 20 years ago, and establish new standards and mechanisms for the dialogue to proceed in the future."

The Vatican's publication of "Fiducia supplicans" was the catalyst for this decision. The document addressed blessings for couples in "irregular situations" including same-sex relationships.

"We cannot recognise that two people of the same sex form a couple" an aide to Pope Tawadros II (pictured with Pope Francis) told La Croix.

"The text is unacceptable, as is the explanation later provided by the Vatican. Pope Francis wanted to please Europeans but, for us, it is a huge heresy" the aide pointed out.

"The Bible in both Testaments condemns, warns against, and prohibits sexual practices between two people of the same sex" asserted the Orthodox Coptic bishops.

Severe setback

The suspension of dialogue is considered a severe setback in relations between Rome and Alexandria. It follows a historic public audience between Pope Tawadros II and Pope Francis less than a year ago.

"Pope Tawadros II greatly appreciates Pope Francis" said Rafic Greiche, a former spokesman for the Coptic Catholic Church in Egypt. "So far, he has managed to appease bishops opposed to any reconciliation with Catholics. It will now be much more difficult in the face of a Synod that will oppose any further progress" the priest said.

While ecumenical prayer initiatives remain unaffected, the halt in dialogue could have broader implications. Many within the Coptic hierarchy have long opposed unity with the Catholic Church. Fiducia supplicans has reignited the deep-seated conflicts.

The Coptic Orthodox Church has made strides towards unity with Rome. However, these recent developments mark a significant setback in the relationship between the two churches.

Sources

Le Croix International

Catholic News Agency

CathNews New Zealand

Bishop Epiphanius, 64, the Coptic abbot of an Egyptian monastery about 100 kilometres from Cairo, was found dead at the end of last month.

Police say Epiphanius had been struck with a sharp instrument which had left him with fractures in the back of his skull.

A former monk, Wael Saad, who was known as Isaiah, confessed to using an iron bar to bludgeon the bishop.

Saad was being investigated by the bishop for violating rules of monasticism.

A second monk is also in custody and being investigated. The Egyptian state-run MENA news agency identified the 33-year-old monk by his monastic name, Valtos, and said he is under police guard after an attempted suicide.

Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria's Coptic Orthodox Church met Saad's brother on Tuesday and has also spoken on the phone to Saad's mother.

Tawadros said the crime would not impact on Saad's brother, who is also a monk in Upper Egypt. He explained Wael Saad's wrongdoing should not reflect on the family who had nothing to do with the crime.

According to Vatican News, Epiphanius was a key figure in the modern history of the Coptic Orthodox Church. He lived "intense spiritual relationships" with his friends and members of the monastic communities of the Catholic Church.

Besides having a degree in medicine, Epiphanius was a researcher and scholar. He took part in the 10th international Conference on Coptic studies in Rome in 2012 and, in 2013, was elected Abbot by the 100 monks of the Monastery of Saint Macarius.

Source

• Vatican News
• Aleteia
• Egypt Independent
• Image:Egypt Today