Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) - His Beatitude Ibrahim Isaac Sidrak, elected Patriarch of Alexandria of the Catholic Copts on January 15th, after spending a few days in spiritual retreat is about to officially take possession of his Patriarchal See. The enthronement liturgy is scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, March 12, in the Coptic Catholic Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin in Madinat Nasr, in the district of Cairo. The beginning of the ceremony is scheduled for 11 am local time. At the same time, in Rome, the Pro Eligendo Roman Pontiff Mass begins at the Basilica of St. Peter presided by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Dean of the College of Cardinals.
The Mass in Rome will also be attended by the Egyptian Cardinal Antonios Naguib, Patriarch Emeritus of Alexandria of the Catholic Copts, who in January had to give up the exercise of his patriarchal ministry for health reasons. The unique sync with where the Pro Eligendo Roman Pontiff Mass in Rome and that of the Patriarchal enthronement in Cairo will be celebrated is according to Cardinal Naguib a striking sign of the mystery of communion that embraces the whole Church. "This providential coincidence," confides Cardinal Naguib to Fides Agency - in its own way makes us feel like the Lord takes care of His Church. In that moment, the prayers for the election of the new Pope and the beginning of the ministry of the new Coptic Catholic Patriarch will merge and will stand together towards the Lord Almighty, who will make us all feel in union with Jesus, in universal communion that embraces the universal Church and is reflected in the Cardinals who have come to Rome from all over the world to take part in the Conclave in prayer, faith, hope and in the courage of the Holy Spirit. "During the Mass in Cairo, continues Cardinal Naguib "there will be some prayer intentions for the election of the new Pope. While I, at St. Peter’s, will also pray for the Church in Egypt and the beginning of the patriarchal office of His Beatitude Ibrahim Sidrak."
Cardinal Naguib, as patriarch emeritus, was to preside the mass for the enthronement of his successor, if he had not had to come to Rome for the Conclave. "Now I will be united with all of them in prayer," confides the Egyptian Cardinal to Fides "and when I return to Cairo, I can also bring the Coptic Orthodox Patriarch Tawadros II the fraternal greetings of the new bishop of Rome." (GV) (Agenzia Fides 11/03/2013).
