The first ever Council of Churches has been formed in Egypt following a year of discussion and meetings.
The five founding member churches include the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Catholic Church, the Evangelical (Presbyterian) Church, the Greek Orthodox Church and the Anglican Church.
The council was officially launched in mid-February at an event hosted by Pope Tawadros II of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
In a statement, Anglican Bishop Mouneer Hanna Anis, of the Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa, and Primate of the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East, said the council’s creation was important at a time when Egypt was “going through a very challenging circumstance politically, socially and economically”. “It means a lot for the churches to face these challenges together with one heart and soul,” he said.
Fifteen different committees coming under the umbrella of the council will be focusing on a range of areas including faith and unity, youth, Sunday schools, community development and women.
