Coptic Pope defies Egyptian court: will not accept divorce and remarriage

June 08, 2010

Pope Shenouda II, the leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church, has confirmed that his church will refuse to abide by a decision of Egypt's highest court, which ruled that the Coptic Church must allow divorce and remarriage.

In May the court ruled that because "the right to family formation is a constitutional right," no religious body can deny that right. In Egypt all marriages must be endorsed by a religious body. The court said that the Coptic Church must alter its teachings to allow for the civil rights of divorced people.

Pope Shenouda said that the Coptic Church will disregard the ruling, insisting that the court has no authority to dictate religious beliefs and practices.

 

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Further information:

• Egyptian pope rejects ruling letting Copts remarry (Reuters)
• Egyptian court says Coptic Church must allow divorce, remarriage (CWN, 5/31)