I write this article to declare I disagree with HG Bishop Makarios on his latest statement on accepting the baptism of Catholics and about the Protestants which included insults to these churches. Such statements contain unacceptable references to Catholics and Protestants, at the time we are in dire need to love, unity and commitment to the teachings of the Bible.
The statement doesn t help the church and may be destructive to the Council of Churches of Egypt by calling for division and non-acceptance of the other. Moreover, they contradict with the ideology of His Holiness Pope Twadrous II, at the time Bishop Makarious stated he only mentioned the vision of the church.
Unfortunately, he mentioned in his statement some information that are far from the faith and included accusations like the Catholic and Evangelical churches only arrived to Egypt with the British and French invasion. This has nothing to do with the faith!
The total number of Catholics is about one billion two hundred million people and the Protestants are more than a billion people. The three Christian denominations have too much in common, so what is the reason to clash and what is the benefit?
In my personal assessment, the statement is only his personal opinion that doesn t represent the church. I was one of the most loyal supporters of His Eminence Bishop Makarios, but this has changed now. I invite him to issue an official apology to all Christians for this statement. If not, I invite the Holy Synod to open investigation with him as his statements strongly hinder the unity seeking among all churches.
