Church warns of rebel priest

2006-07-05 11:25

Cairo - Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church on Wednesday refused to recognise a dissident priest who recently broke away to form his own church, and warned against dealing with him, said reports.

Max Michel recently proclaimed himself Archbishop Maximus I, after he broke from Egypt's official church, headed by 83 year-old Pope Shenuda III, in what some perceived as the first split in the Egyptian congregation.

A statement from the Egyptian Church said: "Michel received his religious title from those who broke away from the Orthodox churches in the world, particularly the United States.

"His title is therefore void because these people are not recognised by the Orthodox churches around the world."

Father Maximus had said he planned to appoint bishops around the country in a long-term expansion effort.

Shenuda had been undergoing medical treatment in Germany and the US for the past month, which had led to speculation about the future of the Church and the next pope.

Egypt's Copts make up six to 10% of the 72 million population.

- AFP