Security delays cause cancellation of Coptic Pope's UK visit
Saturday, September 2nd, 2006

Heightened security and delays at British airports have caused the cancellation of the visit of the Coptic Pope, Shenouda III, to Britain this weekend.

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, the Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark, was due to visit England for the official inauguration and consecration of the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral of Saint George in Stevenage, in Hertfordshire.

Instead the official inauguration is to go ahead, but the consecration has been postponed to a date in the future, when Pope Shenouda III  will be present.

Bishop Angaelos, the leader of the Coptic Church in Britain, told CInews that they were disappointed Pope Shenouda would not be at the Vespers ceremony at 4.00pm this evening which is to be attended by leading state and Church dignitaries, including the Duke of Gloucester and the Archbishop of Canterbury.

�€�It is an unavoidable situation due to a combination of things. It is a big disappointment, but God does everything for a reason,�€� said Bishop Angaelos. 

�€�There is no perception of personal danger, but of delays, and with the Pope�€�s tight programme, there was a fear it would impact on events.�€�

The leader of the 14-million strong Coptic Church,  has been a regular visitor to Britain over the years, coming to consecrate churches in the growing Coptic community, which numbers about 20,000 in Britain.

In Ireland the community has three parishes and is lead by Bishop Anthony, who is also responsible for the community in Scotland and North East England.

There are around 12 million Coptic Christians in Egypt, and a further two million in the rest of the world, including the US, Canada, Europe and Africa.  

The Coptic Orthodox Church derives from Saint Mark, who was martyred in Egypt, and who is considered to be the first of the unbroken line of Patriarchs of the Coptic Church.

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, the present patriarch, is Saint Mark's 116th' successor and the 117th` Pope of Alexandria.
 
Pope Shenouda III is currently president of the World Council of Churches and the Middle East Council of Churches.

Picture shows His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, the Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark.