Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

In an interview with al-Ahrām al-‘Arabī, Bishop Marqus denied

being removed from his office as the Coptic Church’s official spokesman, and asserted that he has a very good

relationship with Pope Shenouda.

Bishop Marqus expressed his gratitude to the statewide adopted stance to

not send a representative to attend the Christmas celebration held by, according to him, the illegitimate self-

proclaimed Bishop Maximus at his church in al-Muqattam.

Marqus added that Maximus is not recognized by any

church in the world except for his own in the U.S, and that priests all agree that his ordination is

void.

Regarding Pope Shenouda’s health, Marqus indicated that he is in good health and able to travel

abroad.

Marqus talked about parliamentary elections and said that it is difficult for Copts to win in

elections due to their small number in constituencies. He indicated that party-list proportional representation

would be better than the current single-winner system, for it would give Copts more opportunity to enter parliament

[Editor: this is certainly true].

Marqus also called to amend the second article of the Constitution as the

political climate that Egypt is living in implies a reconsideration of such article, asserting at the same time

that he as a citizen has the right to express his personal opinion.