Pope Shenouda III and the Egyptian Coptic Church
Time Magazine featured a story about the Egytpian Coptic Church, the head of which is Pope Shenouda III. The highlights:
- The Egyptian Coptic Church does not allow for biblical divorce.
- Camilia Shehata Zakher, a priest’s wife from Upper Egypt, allegedly converted to Islam – some say in order to divorce her husband.
- Camilia Shehata has disappeared. Christians first accused Muslims of kidnapping her, now it is believed that Shehata was returned to Christians and sequestered against her will in a monastery. This is not the first time something like this has happened. In 2004, Wafaa Constantine, also the wife of a priest, reportedly converted to and ended up in a monastery.
Christianity, Divorce, Camilia Shehata Zakher, and Coptic Christians
While there are many rumors floating around about Camilia Shehata, we can say with certainty tht the Christian Scriptures permit divorce. The Apostle Paul teaches,
Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace. (1 Corinthians 7:15)
If Camilia Shehata has left the faith and converted to Islam, then she is no longer a believer. If she also wants to leave her husband, then the husband is obligated to let her leave. It therefore sounds like the lack of peace in Egypt over Camilia Shehata is because the Egyptian Coptic Church is not following the Word of God.
Are you interested to reach Muslims with the Gospel? Then you need to learn more about the Qur’an and especially the Qur’anic Injil. Check out:
