Copts are Christians, and Christians should follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. God indeed calls his people to live in unity with one another, so it is important to make every effort to live together in harmony with other fellow believers. This is the truth mentioned in the holy bible.
“Let us, then, be guided by the teachings and the example of the Apostle Paul, who writes: “[Make] every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you too were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Eph 4:3-6). These verses were quoted in the last paragraph of the joint statement issued by Pope Tawadros and Pope Francis in which they stated that they would not hold baptisms for members of one church wishing to join the other.
Such historic decision comes after forty-four years ago between Pope Paul VI and Pope Shenouda III as they signed the Common Declaration on 10 May 1973 represented a milestone on the path of ecumenism, and served as a starting point for the Commission for Theological Dialogue between our two Churches, which has borne much fruit and opened the way to a broader dialogue between the Catholic Church and the whole family of Oriental Orthodox Churches as mentioned in the statement.
Unity will only be achieved through love. This love finds its deepest expression in common prayer. When Christians pray together, they come to realize that what unites them is much greater than what divides them. Our longing for unity receives its inspiration from the prayer of Christ “that all may be one” (Jn 17:21). I also remember here they words of St. Paul: in (1 Corinthians 1:10): “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought”.
