Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with the leadership of the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay and WCC central committee moderator Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm; Rev. Merlyn Hyde Riley, vice-moderator of the WCC central committee; and H.E. Archbishop Dr Vicken Aykazian, vice-moderator of the WCC central committee, on 28 October.
In addition to WCC leadership and Egyptian foreign ministers, the meeting was attended by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II of the Coptic Orthodox Church; H.E. Metropolitan Thomas of al-Qusiya and Mir, member of the WCC central committee; and H.G. Bishop Abraham, general bishop in the Diocese of Los Angeles, Southern California, and Hawaii, and a member of the WCC central committee.
"The president took more time for our visit than expected," noted Bedford-Strohm. "His authentic, spiritually-grounded plea for religious tolerance impressed us."
Bedford-Strohm also noted that "our brothers and sisters from the Coptic Church confirmed to us that they feel well-protected.
"Throughout the conversation," he added, "I felt a spirit of mutual respect and care beyond my expectation."
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi welcomed the WCC Ecumenical Decade for Climate Justice Action and expressed gratitude for the WCC's support for ecological transformation, peace initiatives, and political stability. He also expressed cordial appreciation for Pope Tawadros and the Coptic Orthodox Church.
"Our visit gave us encouragement for the future of Egypt and the work of the churches," said Bedford-Strohm.
Pillay described the meeting as "remarkably impressive, enlightening, and inspirational.
"Our conversations revolved around religious freedom in Egypt and conflicts in the Middle East and in other parts of the world," said Pillay. "Special attention was given to Palestine and Israel, Sudan, climate issues, and safety and security of countries and people."
The WCC delegation expressed thanks to the president for his warm reception, views, and actions for all religions to freely live their faith, for Egypt's initiatives in working towards a ceasefire in the Israel and Palestine context; and for its warm reception of people fleeing from other countries in search of peace and security.
"The president appealed to the WCC to continue its work for justice and peace in the world," concluded Pillay. "He indicated that WCC would be most welcome to Egypt at any time."
The visit occurred during the Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order, which is convening under the theme "Where Now for Visible Unity?"
Originally from the World Council of Churches
CCD reprinted with permission
