mit der koptisch-orthodoxen Christenheit um Seine Heiligkeit Shenuda III., der gestern verstorben ist und sind im Gebet mit unseren koptischen Schwestern und Brüdern auf der ganzen Welt verbunden.

Die koptische Gemeinde in Deutschland hat folgende Trauernote veröffentlicht:

>>Die Heilige Synode bestätigt das Scheiden unseres geliebten Vaters und Hirten Papst Anba Schenuda III., Papst von Alexandrien und Patriarch des Markusstuhles in Ägypten und auf der ganzen Welt.

Die Koptisch-Orthodoxe Diözese, Bischof Anba Damian, die Priester und das ganze Volk verabschieden sich von ihrem unvergesslichen Vater, Hirten und Führer Papst Anba Schenuda III., möge unser HERR Jesus Christus sich seiner Seele erbarmen und ihn aufnehmen in sein ewiges Paradies und möge Seine Heiligkeit unser aller vor dem himmlischen Throne gedenken. Wir werden dich nie vergessen, geliebter Vater.<<

Aus der Pressemeldung des Heiligen Stuhls:

"The Catholic Church shares in the grief and prayers of Coptic Christians in mourning the loss of their spiritual leader, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria. Pope Benedict XVI was informed of the news and he is united spiritually with prayers of suffrage. We will never forget the meeting of Pope Shenouda in Cairo with Pope John Paul II during his pilgrimage to Mount Sinai during the Great Jubilee. The occasion marked a high moment in dialogue and fellowship witnessing to our common faith in Christ. May the Lord welcome this great shepherd and give him the reward he deserves for his service.<<

[Update: Hier die Trauerbotschaft des Heiligen Vaters an die koptische Kirche im Volltext:
>>On learning of the sad departure to God, our common Father, of His Holiness Shenouda III, Patriarch of Alexandria on the See of Saint Mark the Evangelist, I wish to express to the members of the Holy Synod, to the priests and all the faithful of all the Patriarchate, my most sincere brotherly compassion. I recall with gratitude his commitment to Christian Unity, his memorable visit to my predecessor Pope Paul VI, and their signing of the Joint Declaration of Faith in the Incarnation of the Son of God together in Rome, on May 10, 1973, as well as his Cairo meeting with Pope John Paul II during the Great Jubilee of the Incarnation, on February24, 2000. I can say how the Catholic Church as a whole shares the grief that afflicts the Orthodox Copts, and how she stands in fervent prayer asking that He, who is who is the Resurrection and the Life, might welcome his faithful servant. May the God of all mercy receive Pope Shenouda in His joy, His peace and light.<<