The Institute’s participation in the roundtable meeting of the Episcopate of Public and Social Services, Integral Care, and Ecumenical Relations with local and international development partners, Wednesday, September 28, 2022

As part of the annual roundtable meeting for international and local development partners working with the Bishopric of Public, Ecumenical and Social Services (BLESS), the Coptic Institute for Church Administration and Development participated in the meeting held at the Papal Headquarters in Anba Roueis, Al-Abbasia, Cairo, on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, corresponding to 18 Tout 1739 A.M.

The meeting was held under the patronage of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II and in the presence of His Grace Anba Youlios, General Bishop of Old Cairo and Supervisor of the Bishopric of Public, Ecumenical and Social Services, along with program officials from the Bishopric and development partners from organizations within and outside Egypt.

This year’s meeting coincided with the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Bishopric of Services (in September 1962). His Grace Bishop Julius and program officials reviewed the activities, programs, and services provided by the bishopric in poor and informal communities, and presented a report on the activities and achievements of 2021.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II delivered a welcoming address expressing appreciation for the organizations and entities that cooperate with the Bishopric of Public, Ecumenical and Social Services (BLESS). He also reviewed the history of the Bishopric’s founding by the late His Grace Anba Samuel, who was ordained by Saint Pope Kyrillos VI in 1962. The service grew significantly, becoming well-known both inside and outside of Egypt.

Following his martyrdom, the responsibility for the Bishopric was assumed successively by the late Anba Athanasios, Metropolitan of Beni Suef; then His Grace Anba Serapion (the current Metropolitan of Los Angeles); then His Grace Anba Youannes (the current Bishop of Assiut); and then His Grace Anba Youlios (the current Bishop). His Holiness highlighted the continuity of the Bishopric’s institutional work throughout these sixty years.

In his address, His Holiness spoke about the concept of “love that precedes service, or service offered with love.” He then engaged in a dialogue with the partners of the Bishopric and the officials of its programs and sectors.

In a gracious gesture, His Holiness highlighted the role undertaken by the Coptic Institute for Church Administration and Development in disseminating institutional and developmental thinking within the Church, and the cooperation it maintains with all the dioceses and with the Bishopric of Public, Ecumenical and Social Services (BLESS).

His Holiness then blessed everyone and distributed commemorative gifts to them.

Representing the Institute as one of the development partners in the Coptic Church, Prof. Dr. Magdy Latif El-Sandy, Dean of the Institute; Prof. Dr. Ghada Barsoum; Prof. Dr. Eman Nossey; and Mr. Hossam Zaky participated.

It is also important to note that Dr. Eman Nossey, along with a group of members from international partner organizations of the Bishopric, participated in the field visit to the informal areas of El-Gabal El-Asfar in Qalyubia Governorate on Monday, September 26, 2022. The purpose was to observe the developmental impact created by the services provided by the Bishopric of Public, Ecumenical and Social Services (BLESS) in that area and in over 45 local communities across Egypt.

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