CAIRO, Nov 04, 2012 (AFP)
CAIRO, Nov 04, 2012 (AFP)
Two bishops and a monk are the finalists to be selected on Sunday as the 118th patriarch of Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Church:
– Bishop Raphael, aged 54, is a medical doctor who became a monk and quickly rose through the hierarchy.
Born Michel Erian al-Halim in Cairo’s Shubra district, he earned his medical degree at the capital’s Ain Shams medical school and then attended Shenuda III seminary, named after the patriarch who died in March.
In 1990, he was made a monk at the Baramus monastery in the Wadi Natrun region, northeast of Cairo and given the name Yostos.
Seven years later he was consecrated as a bishop.
Currently serving as assistant bishop for central Cairo, Raphael is well known for his sermons focusing on youth and on education, and is close to Bishop Mussa, one of the most popular Coptic clergymen and responsible for youth affairs.
He has urged the authorities to ease restrictions on the construction of churches in a country where the rules on building mosques are more flexible.
– Bishop Tawadros of Beheira in the Nile Delta, is aged 60.
Born Wagih Sobhy Bakky Soleiman in the delta region of Mansura, he was awarded a degree in pharmacy from the University of Alexandria before entering seminary. During his youth, he received a scholarship from Britain’s International Health Institute.
He was made a monk in 1988 at Saint Bishoy monastery, also in Wadi Natrun, and was consecrated bishop in 1997.
Noted for his knowledge of theology, he favours a more pastoral role for the church and rarely involves himself in political matters.
He is close to Bishop Pachomius, who has led the Church in the interim.
– Father Raphael Ava Mina, aged 70, is a priestmonk.
Born in Cairo under the name of Raphael Sobhy Tewfiq, he was awarded a degree in law from Ain Shams University.
He was made a monk in 1969 at the Mar Mina monastery near Alexandria.
He was close both to Shenuda III and to his predecessor, Cyril VI, who died in 1971 and who ordained him as a priest.
He is known to support the idea that the Church must not mix with politics and prefers seeing the faithful engage in public affairs through political parties.
He has also advocated a closer dialogue with Cairo’s Al-Azhar, the highest institution of learning in the Sunni Muslim world, noted for its moderation.
