From mecc <mecc@cyberia.net.lb 
Date Sun, 28 Jan 2007 22:58:44 -0800


Common Statement between the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa regarding Max Michel

On December 16, 2006, a common Statement was issued by the above two churches clarifying their position regarding the ³so-called ordination of the ?reader¹ Max Michel as bishop of Egypt and the Middle East by schismati c and non-canonical bishops who claim to be Orthodox².

In the Statement, the two Patriarchs, HH Pope Schenouda III of the Coptic Orthodox Church and HB Patriarch Theodorus II, reject the false ordination effected by bishops who are not recognized by any Orthodox Church, the ordination¹s ecclesiastical and sacramental validity, as well as all the ordinations conducted by Max Michel. The Statement is posted on the MECC website at: www.mec-churches.org <http://www.mec-churches.org/

Middle East Council of Churches Office of International Ecumenical Relations P.O. Box 5376, Beirut, Lebanon