and someone else tries to grab your papacy…

Dissent in Egypt:

Egypt’s Coptic pope has sought to reassure his followers upon returning from a trip abroad that raised concerns over his health and saw a dissident bishop trying to set up a rival church.

"The church has 20 centuries of history behind it. It has remained solid and was never harmed by the dangers threatening it and it will not be affected by this development," Shenuda III told reporters on Monday.

He was speaking at a rare press conference at the patriarchate after the self-proclaimed Archbishop Maximus I announced plans to start appointing bishops around the country and split from the Coptic Orthodox church.

"This man is married and has two daughters while bishops in our church should remain single," Shenuda said, adding that he believed Maximus would never receive government authorisations to pursue his project.

In an interview published last week, Maximus charged that Shenuda’s pontificate had been disastrous and accused the patriarch of inciting sectarian violence in Egypt.

More background here. And here.

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