Part IV: 1. Administration

PART IV

Administration

As mentioned before, the Holy Orders comprise three degrees, the bishopdom, the priesthood, and the deaconship. The pope is a bishop, but being bishop of the capital and St. Mark’s Successor, he is given precedence. His precedence, however, is that of the elder brother. According to the earliest laws and regulations of the Coptic Church, the pope, as well as all members of the Holy Orders, are elected by those over whom they will preside. The election of the deacons and the priests is naturally, restricted to their own parishes; that of the bishops to their own dioceses; while the pope is elected by general vote. Also, there is no transference or resignation within the ranks of the Holy Orders, the only open possibility is that a priest can become chiefpriest, and a deacon an archeacon. This attainment, however, is within their own parish so that they remain serving their own people. As for the bishops, they remain as such for life. The relation of a bishop (or a priest) to his people is likened unto that of husband and wife. And since marriage in Christianity is monogamous and kept throughout life, it follows that clergymen must remain serving their own people throughout life. The reason why no bishop is transferred is that the Coptic Church maintains the Apostolic Tradition which appointed Matthias and Justus from the ranks of the believers, then prayed and gave forth their lots which resulted in the selection of Matthias (Acts I : 15-26). This casting of lots happened only at this selection, precedent to the Descent of the Holy Spirit. After they were filled with God’s Spirit, the Apostles relied on praying, discussing together then taking a decision. And because Matthias came from among the believers and not selected from among the disciples to take place among the Twelve, the Fathers of the Coptic Church followed their example. When the Successor of St. Mark goes unto his reward, bishops and layleaders confer; they select from among the monks those they deem most worthy of the august Chair. The number of candidates is not to be less than three nor more than eleven. At the appointed day and hour, the voters give their vote. He, who gets the highest number of votes is consecrated. This was the general method, but there are few exceptions. The three popes (from 1927-1956) were bishops raised to the Papal Chair. But their successor, Abba Kyrillos VI (116th Pope) was a monk. His election come first by vote; from among the eleven selected, the names of the three who got the highest votes, were written on three slips of paper and put on the altar while the Liturgy was chanted. At the end, a boy of seven was asked to pick one of the three slips of paper; it bore the name of the hermit Mena who was duly consecrated by the name Kyrillos.

The ideal of non-transference is upheld by the Coptic Church on the following grounds :

1. Bishopdom is an honour in itself conferred by the Christ, hence, every bishop is brother to the others regardless of any worldly grandeur. The scale of greatness set by the Christ for His disciples being that of Service : “If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all and servant of all”. (Mark IX : 35).

2. The Bishop is considered as “the husband” of his See, and “the Father” to his flock.

3. To guard against any possible rivalry or use of the bishopry’s money for any purpose other than the good of the people.

4. For the security, stability and durability within the churches.

In Addition, the Coptic Church has maintained that no man, whatever spiritual height he has attained, is infallible; consequently, She decreed that the Holy Council of Bishops should be the highest authority. This Council confers amicably with the layleaders, so that no man’s point of view will be the only means of governing the Church. When the Council convenes and discusses any question, the voice of the majority is put into effect, even if the Pope happens to be with the majority. The only prerogative accord to him, is such stands, is that should the number of the members attending the Council be even, and they divide into equal halves, the Pope’s vote is counted two. As for the layleaders, they express their views frankly in any discussion. Then their role is that of rendering whatever service with which the Pope or any of the Bishops charge them.

In the bishopries — including that of the Pope — there are always committees of laymen and laywomen for social service, ministering unto the sick and the aged, trying to find work for the unemployed, supervising arts and crafts centers and whatever service the Bishop demands. While in the parishes, each priest has his deacon and his lay assistants for the diverse projects run by the church. Thus, the laymen and the laywomen have their share in the Church life.