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World Council of Churches

CopticZealot
in Faith Issues
Why are members of the Coptic Synod meeting with the World Council of Churches 1 month from now? 

I know they have stated that the conference is "for academic purposes":

Per the synod, "This means the conference is academic in nature, featuring research
papers reflecting the viewpoints of their authors—Fathers, scholars, and
specialists. No decisions, agreements, signatures, or even
recommendations will be issued from the conference. Only media
statements may be released."

However, isn't it strange that the World Council of Churches seem to be talking not just about interfaith dialogue (which includes non-apostolic churches with no ecclesiastical or episcopal governance or history), but also talking about inter-religious dialogue with outside religions?


There are numerous allegations of corruption and conflicts arising with bishops as a consequence; however, this is a separate issue entirely. At what stage, though, is it considered Orthodox to begin associating with individuals of varying faiths and religions? Pope Kyrillos VI made significant efforts to eliminate secular councils and their influence on the church. Why are we attempting to reintroduce them, and how could something like this ever align with the faith and legacy of the church fathers?

Anyways, the council is in a month on October 24th. Most likely it will not be canceled, unfortunately.

Comments

  • mabsootamabsoota
    dear coptic zealot,
    your links indicate that you have a problem with this.
    if you would like to discuss this in detail, please send a personal message and i will answer your points.
    this is what i will say publically:
    our church is inviting other groups to come and see them (as our Lord Jesus Christ invited people to come and see and learn from Him) - this is the right thing to do.
    they are not changing their / our beliefs.
    they are not sending young orthodox Christians to get influenced by other groups - these are bishops and church servants meeting other Christians (and probably also those of other faiths).
    if we don't keep raising the profile of orthodox churches, it will be difficult for people to join them as they don't know about them!
    it wasn't till i was in my mid 30s that i visited a coptic orthodox church, despite the church's long presence in britain.
    if church leaders don't reach out, people like me can't join the orthodox church!
    i hope and pray that you find peace and grace, as i did through repentance, confession, chrismation and holy communion,
    mabsoota 
    (orthodox Christian for 17 years and eternally grateful)
  • minatasgeelminatasgeel
    edited September 30
    To add to what mabsoota said, this is nothing new. The Church, in many ways and represented in many people through the centuries (laymen or clergy), have always dialogued with EVERYONE. There has been so many books (manuscripts) from the 13-15 centuries that show that we have dialogued with mostly muslims, and EO churches, and RC, and many heretics of all of these groups. None of this is new. 

    and no, there "There are numerous allegations of corruption and conflicts arising with bishops as a consequence"... you can't take the word of a couple of laymen who just go online to yell at everyone to be "allegations", even if they are supported by some bishops/metropolitans. 

    The bottom line is, we KNOW our faith, and we are not afraid of being tested in it. We are the orthodox that have survived 20 centuries despite all the odds. NOTHING will take it away. BUt in the same time, we are living in this world that keeps getting uglier in many ways. The only way we can do our responsibility as a Christians is to atleast HEAR. Hear everyone who agrees and doesn't agree. Hear everyone who says anything absurd. Hear to recognize our shortcomings in our spiritual life with God. 


  • mabsootamabsoota
    lovely reflections :)
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