A Statement from the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church against Homosexuality and its Ordinations

 

The Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church, in

his meeting of Wednesday morning 3rd of Sept. 2003

presided by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, in

Saint Anthony Church, in the Papal Residence Anba

Rowais Bldg., Cairo, after discussing the actions of

some Western Churches, trying to legalize Homosexuality, Same-sex marriage, the ordination of homosexuals in different pastoral degrees, and the process to ordain a homosexual bishop in the

Episcopal Church of New Hampshire, U.S.A.,

consequently - in this special meeting –

 

The Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church decided

unanimously the strong condemnation of these acts,

that violate the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ,

and the Scriptures: Old and New Testaments. This

complies with our responsibility to witness for the

truth of the Gospel.

1- Jesus Christ condemned homosexuality in an

explicit way, when He spoke about the

devastation of Sodom & Gomorrah (Lk 10:12).

See also (Gn 19:24). The Holy Bible warns also

saying: “Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators,

nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals,

nor Sodomites... will inherit the Kingdom of

God” (1Co 6:9, 10). See also (Ro 1:26-32), and

what is mentioned in Old Testament: “If a man

also lies with male, as he lies with a woman,

both of them have committed an

abomination. They shall surely be put to death.

Their blood shall be upon them” (Lv 8:22 -Lv

20:13).

2- Same-sex marriage is against the Divine plan for

marriage and its purpose of procreation: “But

from the beginning of the creation, God

made them ‘male and female’. For this

reason a man shall leave his father and

mother and be joined to his wife” (Mk 10:6,

7). See also (Mt 19:4-6, Eph 5:31, Gn 1:27, Gn

2:24).

3- Those who are ordained for Church ministry must

uphold the teachings of the Holy Bible. “A bishop

then must be blameless... of good behavior…

able to teach” (1Ti 3:2). Consequently, we

disapprove and condemn strongly the same - sex

marriage generally, and the ordination of

homosexuals, which is more erroneous, and more

dangerous.

 

The Holy Synod declares:

1- That these movements contradict the teachings of

the Holy Bible, and threaten the stability of

natural marriage, the nature of forming a family,

the morals of the society, the purity of the

Church, the future of the efforts toward s Christian

unity, and the Ecumenical movements.

2- Those who rely on the chains of human rights to

encourage homosexuality, neglect the fact that it

is not the right of any person to spoil himself or

the other. Real freedom does not ruin the human

nature, nor contradict with the Divine

Commandments, morals, and general ethics.

3- We applaud the courageous voices, in and outside

those Churches, which oppose Homosexuality,

Same - Sex Marriage, ordination of Homosexuals

in pastoral orders. We call these Churches to obey

the Biblical Teachings without compromise or

change. Members of these Churches have no right

to vote on the Biblical Divine Commandments.

4- This abnormal conduct is a stumbling block for

other people, bad example and fame, and

dangerous for the future of these Churches

themselves leading to divisions and disintegration.

5- While we condemn homosexuality, we invite those

who are under this sin to repent out of concern for

their eternal life.

Our Holy Synod decided to publish this

statement on all possible Media inside and

outside Egypt, and to send it to all Ecumenical

Councils, such as the World Council of Churches,

the Middle East Council of Churches, The

Councils of America, Canada, Europe, Australia,

and Africa.