Bishop Antonios Naguib
Bishop Emeritus of Minya {Ermopoli Maggiore; Minieh} (Coptic)
Posted on 04/03/2006 4:33:38 PM PDT by NYer
Bishop Naguib Replaces Cardinal Stephanos II Gatas
VATICAN CITY, APRIL 3, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Retired Bishop Antonios Naguib of Minya of the Copts was elected new patriarch of Alexandria of the Catholic Copts.
The new patriarch is replacing Cardinal Stephanos II Ghattas, 86, who had presented his resignation to Benedict XVI, the Vatican press office announced today.
The new patriarch, 71, was elected by the Synod of Bishops of the Catholic Coptic Church, meeting in St. Joseph's Convent of the Egyptian Sisters of the Sacred Heart in Cairo on March 20, as established by the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches.
The Pope has given assent to the election.
Egypt's Catholic Copts number about 250,000, a small minority in a country of 74 million inhabitants, 94% of whom are Muslims and most of the rest Orthodox Copts.
The Coptic Church (known as Orthodox) remained apart from Rome following the Council of Chalcedon in 451. It is led today by Pope Shenouda III.
In 1741, a Coptic bishop in Jerusalem converted to Catholicism and was named by Pope Benedict XIV apostolic vicar of the small Coptic community. In 1895, Pope Leo XIII re-established the Catholic-Coptic Patriarchate.
Studied in Rome
The Catholic-Coptic Church runs 170 educational institutions, the majority of whose students are Muslims.
Antonios Naguib entered the seminary of Maadi in Cairo, and later studied theology at the Urbanian College in Rome from 1953 to 1958.
Ordained a priest in 1960, after a year as parish priest in Minya, he returned to Rome to obtain a licentiate in theology (1962) and another in Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute (1964).
He taught this subject at the Patriarchal Seminary of Maadi until his election as bishop of Minya in July 1977. He submitted his resignation as bishop of Minya in September 2002 to take a period of rest.
The Coptic Church was founded by the martyr Mark between A.D. 40 and 60 in Alexandria.
Although it is not widely known in our Western world, the Catholic Church is actually a communion of Churches. According to the Constitution on the Church of the Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium, the Catholic Church is understood to be "a corporate body of Churches," united with the Pope of Rome, who serves as the guardian of unity (LG, no. 23). At present there are 22 Churches that comprise the Catholic Church. The new Code of Canon Law, promulgated by Pope John Paul II, uses the phrase "autonomous ritual Churches" to describe these various Churches (canon 112). Each Church has its own hierarchy, spirituality, and theological perspective. Because of the particularities of history, there is only one Western Catholic Church, while there are 22 Eastern Catholic Churches. The Western Church, known officially as the Latin Church, is the largest of the Catholic Churches. It is immediately subject to the Roman Pontiff as Patriarch of the West. The Eastern Catholic Churches are each led by a Patriarch, Major Archbishop, or Metropolitan, who governs their Church together with a synod of bishops. Through the Congregation for Oriental Churches, the Roman Pontiff works to assure the health and well-being of the Eastern Catholic Churches.
While this diversity within the one Catholic Church can appear confusing at first, it in no way compromises the Church's unity. In a certain sense, it is a reflection of the mystery of the Trinity. Just as God is three Persons, yet one God, so the Church is 22 Churches, yet one Church.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church summarizes this nicely:
"From the beginning, this one Church has been marked by a great diversity which comes from both the variety of God's gifts and the diversity of those who receive them... Holding a rightful place in the communion of the Church there are also particular Churches that retain their own traditions. The great richness of such diversity is not opposed to the Church's unity" (CCC no. 814).
Although there are 22 Churches, there are only eight "Rites" that are used among them. A Rite is a "liturgical, theological, spiritual and disciplinary patrimony," (Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, canon 28). "Rite" best refers to the liturgical and disciplinary traditions used in celebrating the sacraments. Many Eastern Catholic Churches use the same Rite, although they are distinct autonomous Churches. For example, the Ukrainian Catholic Church and the Melkite Catholic Church are distinct Churches with their own hierarchies. Yet they both use the Byzantine Rite.
To learn more about the "two lungs" of the Catholic Church, visit this link:
The Vatican II Council declared that "all should realize it is of supreme importance to understand, venerate, preserve, and foster the exceedingly rich liturgical and spiritual heritage of the Eastern churches, in order faithfully to preserve the fullness of Christian tradition" (Unitatis Redintegrato, 15).
To locate an Eastern Catholic Church in your community, follow the following link:
Eastern Catholic Churches in the U.S.
A Roman rite Catholic may attend any Eastern Catholic Liturgy and fulfill his of her obligations at any Eastern Catholic Parish. A Roman rite Catholic may join any Eastern Catholic Parish and receive any sacrament from an Eastern Catholic priest, since all belong to the Catholic Church as a whole. I am a Roman Catholic practicing my faith at a Maronite Catholic Church. Like the Chaleans, the Maronites retain Aramaic for the Consecration. It is as close as one comes to being at the Last Supper.
Although it is not widely known in our Western world, the Catholic Church is actually a communion of Churches. According to the Constitution on the Church of the Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium, the Catholic Church is understood to be "a corporate body of Churches," united with the Pope of Rome, who serves as the guardian of unity (LG, no. 23). At present there are 22 Churches that comprise the Catholic Church. The new Code of Canon Law, promulgated by Pope John Paul II, uses the phrase "autonomous ritual Churches" to describe these various Churches (canon 112). Each Church has its own hierarchy, spirituality, and theological perspective. Because of the particularities of history, there is only one Western Catholic Church, while there are 22 Eastern Catholic Churches. The Western Church, known officially as the Latin Church, is the largest of the Catholic Churches. It is immediately subject to the Roman Pontiff as Patriarch of the West. The Eastern Catholic Churches are each led by a Patriarch, Major Archbishop, or Metropolitan, who governs their Church together with a synod of bishops. Through the Congregation for Oriental Churches, the Roman Pontiff works to assure the health and well-being of the Eastern Catholic Churches.
While this diversity within the one Catholic Church can appear confusing at first, it in no way compromises the Church's unity. In a certain sense, it is a reflection of the mystery of the Trinity. Just as God is three Persons, yet one God, so the Church is 22 Churches, yet one Church.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church summarizes this nicely:
"From the beginning, this one Church has been marked by a great diversity which comes from both the variety of God's gifts and the diversity of those who receive them... Holding a rightful place in the communion of the Church there are also particular Churches that retain their own traditions. The great richness of such diversity is not opposed to the Church's unity" (CCC no. 814).
Although there are 22 Churches, there are only eight "Rites" that are used among them. A Rite is a "liturgical, theological, spiritual and disciplinary patrimony," (Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, canon 28). "Rite" best refers to the liturgical and disciplinary traditions used in celebrating the sacraments. Many Eastern Catholic Churches use the same Rite, although they are distinct autonomous Churches. For example, the Ukrainian Catholic Church and the Melkite Catholic Church are distinct Churches with their own hierarchies. Yet they both use the Byzantine Rite.
To learn more about the "two lungs" of the Catholic Church, visit this link:
The Vatican II Council declared that "all should realize it is of supreme importance to understand, venerate, preserve, and foster the exceedingly rich liturgical and spiritual heritage of the Eastern churches, in order faithfully to preserve the fullness of Christian tradition" (Unitatis Redintegrato, 15).
To locate an Eastern Catholic Church in your community, follow the following link:
Eastern Catholic Churches in the U.S.
A Roman rite Catholic may attend any Eastern Catholic Liturgy and fulfill his of her obligations at any Eastern Catholic Parish. A Roman rite Catholic may join any Eastern Catholic Parish and receive any sacrament from an Eastern Catholic priest, since all belong to the Catholic Church as a whole. I am a Roman Catholic practicing my faith at a Maronite Catholic Church. Like the Chaleans, the Maronites retain Aramaic for the Consecration. It is as close as one comes to being at the Last Supper.
Dear NYer,
As, I am subscribed to the Zenit News Service and I receive their emails on a daily basis-- I received information about the election of the new Coptic Catholic Patriarch and I am extremely elated that this Bishop has been elected.
I say this because, the Former Patriarch Stephanos II Ghattas was 86 years old and probably the Coptic Catholic Church needed a new leader.
As, I have said this before and will say it once again.
Although, I am an Indian Catholic Christian of Portuguese Descent-- I have a great love and concern for the following Eastern Rite Catholic Churches 1)The Chaldean Catholic Church, 2)Coptic Catholic Church, 3)Melkite Catholic Church, and 4)Maronite Catholic Church as well as to a lesser extent
"THE ARMENIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH".
I would be most grateful if you could send me whenever possible any additional information on the Coptic Catholic Church as there is virtually no information available on the web on this awesome Eastern Rite Catholic Church.
It is my ardent prayer that all Orthodox Copts will become Catholic asap.
JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU.
OUR LADY, HELP OF CHRISTIANS BRING ALL OUR ORTHODOX BROTHERS AND SISTERS HOME.
Our Lady of Zeitoun pray for us.
http://www.zeitun-eg.org/zeitoun1.htm
The Coptic Catholic Patriarch of Alexandria should take the title Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, just like his Coptic Orthodox counterpart.
The Alexandrine patriarchs held the title of pope far earlier than their Roman counterparts.
Dear Nihil Obstat,
I am aware of the apparitions of Our Lady of Zeitoun. In fact, I have added this Apparition Web Site to my Public Links.
I have some interesting Links that I have added in the last 1-2 weeks. Specially the online Diary of Saint Faustina Kowalska, as well as other awesome sites including the completed online book of the Life of Venerable Anne Catherine Emmerich.
In Christ,
Eustace
What a cutie! Best wishes to the Copts ... they have a tough time in Egypt these days. Well, for a long time past, too, I guess.
Dear Tax-Chick,
What a cutie! Hmmm. Interesting Comment. Please also pray for the Catholic Church in South Asia, specially in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
The Catholic Church faces a lot of persecution in India from Extremist Hindu Groups and in Pakistan and Bangladesh from Radical Islamist Groups and Fundamentalists.
I guess you live in North Carolina where Catholics are a tiny minority. I am quite familiar with the Catholic Church in North Carolina as I lived for 4.5 years in North Georgia specifically in Lawrenceville, North Georgia and later in Athens, Georgia.
In one of the Parishes, where I was a Parishioner -- Our Assistant pastor used to often travel to Charlotte, North Carolina to a Catholic Mission to say Mass on a week end.
Prayers for all of your little ones. How many do you have ? India is 9.5 hours ahead of North Carolina E.S.T. when daylight savings starts in Spring and Summer and 10.5 Hours ahead in Winter.
In Christ,
Dear friend,
When I called the new Coptic Patriarch "a cutie," that was a figure of speech. I meant that he looks like a kind and patient man, and it would be a privilege to have someone like him as my Archbishop.
I have eight children, ages 15 year to 2 months. We live in the Charlotte, NC, area, and it's true there aren't many Catholics, as a percentage. However, our parishes are very full!
We pray every day for the Church in India. I have sponsored an orphan girl in Kerala for the past ten years, and also sponsored the formation of two religious Sisters in India. Currently I have a seminarian in Ethiopia as well.
Best wishes to you!
Dear Tax- Chick,
My Apologies for whatever I said. I was just kidding.
Here is a Web Site of an Orthodox Catholic Church in North Carolina that you may be familiar with.
http://www.saintbarnabasarden.org/ Welcome to Saint Barnabas Catholic Church Arsden, North Carolina. I guess it is near Asheville, North Carolina.
This is a Catholic Parish that has a solid devotion to Eucharistic Adoration, Divine Mercy etc.
I am an Orthodox Indian Catholic of Portuguese Descent originally from the Former Portuguese Colony of Goa on the South- West Coast of India which is around 200 miles from Bombay, India where I live.
I visited your Public Profile Page and I found the last half very, very, interesting. Specially, the pictures of the 8 kids and all and I liked what you said about yourself "RedNeck" and all.
Having lived in Georgia, I am familiar with the term Redneck. I had a number of Catholic and Baptist Redneck Friends in North Georgia specially when I was a Eucharistic Minister.
Watch out for my Thread, this Sunday on all the Homilies preached by Father Altier on Palm sunday for the last 5 years and later his Homilies for Holy Thursday as well as Good Friday which were also preached by him in the last 3-4 years.
In Christ,
At present there are 22 Churches that comprise the Catholic Church.At present the Catholic Church comprises 22 Churches.
At present there are 22 Churches that compose/constitute the Catholic Church.or
I just thought maybe you were confused by the Southern Church Lady idiom, since you're not from these parts :-).
I take it back, then -- you're from these parts!
Ricky Skaggs is the best for Bluegrass Gospel, in my opinion.
Dear Tax-chick,
Many Thanks for your message. I just read it. Well, if I say any more you will really get confused. Although, I was born and raised in Bombay, India and I still do live in Bombay, India at the moment-- you could consider me a transplant or a Pseudo-Southerner since I lived for quite some time in the Southern United States and I long to come back.
I guess that's the best way to put it. I have heard of Ricky Skaggs who is a Blue Grass Gospel Great.
But my all time favourites are:
1)Jesse Lee Campbell.
2)Alison Krauss
3)The Soggy Bottom Boys-- They are Blue Grass but I am not sure whether they are Blue Grass Gospel.
I just love their favorite hit "I am a Man of Constant Sorrow".
See Y'all Tomorrow.
In Christ,
P.S.- You won't believe this but in North Georgia I had a Friend who was a Baptist Pastor and sort of led me back to the Catholic Faith. That Story will be kept for Tomorrow.
This is all fascinating! I think Allison Krause is the best female vocalist in country music. Have to say that I don't like "Man of Constant Sorrow" that much, though, even with Ralph Stanley singing it! I loved his recording of "Oh, Death."
Have a good night in your far-off time zone!
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