EGYPT: POPE SHENOUDA AND PAPAL SUCCESSION

UNCLAS CAIRO 004243 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS NSC STAFF FOR SINGH DRL/IRF FOR COFSKY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF EG SUBJECT: EGYPT: POPE SHENOUDA AND PAPAL SUCCESSION SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION. ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Pope Shenouda III, head of Egypt's sizeable Coptic Orthodox Church for the last three decades, returned to Cairo July 9 after receiving treatment for back and kidney problems in Cleveland. Although it appears the Pope will recover fully, change in the Coptic Orthodox Church has become a subject of avid debate in Egyptian media outlets, with some publications suggesting possible successors to the papacy. Separately, Russian-ordained Max Michel, the self-proclaimed Bishop Maximous of the unlicensed St. Athanasious Church, has declared his denomination to be separate from Pope Shenouda's authority. END SUMMARY. -------------- The Diagnosis -------------- ¶2. (U) On June 18, Pope Shenouda, age 83, flew to Germany, where doctors diagnosed back and kidney problems. Back surgery in Germany was ruled out after doctors determined the Pope's kidneys were in need of treatment. Pope Shenouda then flew to Cleveland on June 22 for further treatment. On July 6, the Papal Residence announced that the Pope was in good health, but publicly acknowledged a kidney problem. Bishop Morcos, Coptic Orthodox Church spokesman, told poloff that the Pope's kidney problem has been "fully treated" but offered no details. Pope Shenouda is expected to address his health during a July 10 press conference from the papal residence. -------------- Speculation From Back Home -------------- ¶3. (U) Although the Pope's condition appears not to be terminal, his health episode has fanned speculation about succession in the Church. Independent and opposition newspapers call him the most charismatic Pope in modern times and have followed his condition and treatment journey closely. All major newspapers recently reported on President Mubarak's three phone calls to the Pope. Eleven of the Coptic Church's top bishops traveled June 28 to visit him in Cleveland. Egyptian media outlets have also mulled potential successors, including Bishop You'ens, the Pope's first secretary; Bishop Mousa, Bishop of Youth Affairs; and Bishop SIPDIS Bishoy, metropolitan of Domietta dioceses. -------------- -------------- Succession Scenario and Appointing an Acting Pope -------------- -------------- ¶4. (U) Under existing church rules, if the papacy becomes vacant the eldest bishop or metropolitan would convene the Holy Synod Council (100-plus bishops who carry out papal policy) and the Board of the Coptic Orthodox Endowment to choose a metropolitan or a bishop as acting pope. To assume the papacy, acting or permanent, a nominee must be an unmarried celibate monk with fifteen years of service, Egyptian, and at least 40 years of age. The Acting Pope must be chosen within 7 days of the vacancy. President Mubarak would issue a Presidential Decree appointing the acting pope, until a new pope is elected. No modifications to the church's laws or regulations are allowed during this period. -------------- Nominating and Electing a New Pope -------------- ¶5. (U) To choose the next permanent Pope, the Holy Synod Council identifies an initial group of nominees within 30 days after the papacy becomes vacant. Following an internal vote, the Holy Council forwards names to a Nomination Committee, headed by the Acting Pope and including clergy and members of Board of the Coptic Endowment (Note: The Acting Pope is therefore not eligible to become pope. End note). The Nomination Committee rejects those individuals who are not qualified and forwards three to seven names to an Election Committee, consisting of the metropolitan, bishops, heads of monasteries and their deputies and treasurers, and 12 priests from Cairo. The Election Committee oversees a vote for three finalists. Eligible voters include all those who are Egyptian Coptic Orthodox, have a "good reputation", be at least 35 years of age and have not been convicted of any crimes affecting honor or status. -------------- The Altar's Ballot -------------- ¶6. (U) Following the vote, the Election Committee formally nominates the three highest vote-getters. On the altar during Mass, from a sealed box with the three nominees' names written on slips of paper, a blindfolded young boy, selected at random from the congregation, picks the new Patriarch, and the selection is announced by formal decree. -------------- Bishop Maximous -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Russian-ordained Max Michel, calling himself Archbishop Maximous I, of the unlicensed St. Athanasious Church in Egypt, has exploited the Pope's illness to draw attention to his breakaway congregation. Michel seeks to establish his own Coptic denomination separate from the Pope's authority. Michel's actions, including plans to appoint his own subordinate bishops, coupled with his repeated chastisement of the Pope in the press, have caused great anxiety within the Coptic Orthodox Church, especially during the Pope's medical absence and talk of papal succession. Michel, in his 50s, reportedly was educated for a brief time in Nebraska. In several interviews over the last few months, Michel has cited a February 13, 2006 letter to claim that Secretary Rice supports his cause. The letter appears to be some sort of notarial which does not address the merits at all. And it is not clear how the Secretary's name is used. The Ambassador, in a July 4 interview with al-Watani, stated that the U.S. Government has no relationship with Bishop Maximous and takes no position at all in church politics. ¶8. (SBU) Comment: At a time when talk of papal succession and a rogue bishop crowd the air, Pope Shenouda will likely use his return to Egypt to reaffirm his improving health and control over the papacy. Sources have suggested that the Pope will "arrange institutional matters" before attending an annual celebration of his ordainment as a monk on July 17 and before possibly returning to Munich for follow-up back treatment later in the month. President Mubarak's multiple calls to the Pope speak as much to the government's concern about the Patriarch's health as they do about papal succession and the perceived political strength concomitant with the papacy. A new Pope will face a number of controversial issues, including the Church's normalization with Israel and its relationship with political Islam. Some commentators have indicated a new Pope would have no other choice except to focus on the institutionalization of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the wake of its expansion across borders, including dioceses in the U.S., Europe, Africa, and Latin America. RICCIARDONE