Pope Meetings In December 2023
1- Date: Thursday, December 7, 2023 / Hator 27, 1740
His Holiness the Pope to Social Care Priests: “Cruelty is a human invention and a root of sin, so be merciful”
His Holiness Pope Tawadros II held the annual meeting with social care priests from the governorates of Aswan, Luxor, Qena, Sohag, Asyut, and Minya, in addition to the Red Sea and New Valley governorates, totalling 29 governorates.
Bishop Raphael Thawrath, Deputy Bishop of Services, gave a speech explaining the vision for establishing a development and social care office in the dioceses.
Bishop Bishoy Charles, Secretary of the Social Care Service, spoke about the achievements so far in the social care service and about the “Educate Your Son,” “Daughter of the King,” and “Blessing Bag” programs.
Dr. Amira Tawadros, Director of the Demographic Center at the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, spoke about the Egyptian Family Development project launched by President Sisi in 2020.
Ms. Sally Abdel Qader from the Central Bank, in her speech, addressed the topic of financial inclusion for marginalized groups and how to teach people to manage their money properly, as well as the role of the church in raising awareness in this context.
A short film about the “Educate Your Son” project was also shown, and at the end of the meeting, outstanding preparatory stage students participating in the project were honoured, as well as the bishops of the dioceses to which the excelling students belong.
In his speech, His Holiness the Pope thanked the attendees and speakers and congratulated them on the occasion of the Nativity Fast and the approaching month of Kiahk. He then offered three pieces of advice to the priest who serves in the social care service:
- Be Merciful:
- He noted, “Cruelty is a human invention and one of the roots of sin.”
- He added, “If you are cruel, know that you are a sinner. Cruelty is not befitting of social service.”
- He warned, “Examine yourself and know that cruelty distances you from the kingdom like the foolish virgins who heard the phrase, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you’ (Matthew 25:12).”
- He continued, “Please be merciful because we live in a time that needs mercy. The church comforts people, and the Lord will protect you from the evil of need. Please be merciful.”
- Be Faithful:
- He explained, “The Lord’s goodness is great and there will be blessing with your faithfulness. What is in our hands is not our merit, the church is the church of Christ and He knows its needs.”
- He pointed out, “Your holiness as a priest and the dignity of the priesthood represent the Coptic Church. Please be faithful to the utmost and remember the promise, ‘Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life’ (Revelation 2:10). Be faithful until the end of your life and watch over yourself, because in the parable of the five loaves, it depended on the faithfulness of the child and the faithfulness of the disciples who presented them to Christ faithfully. So be faithful in this service.”
- Be Wise:
- He explained, “Advise your people to acquire only things that benefit them and not to spend on things that harm them. Teach your people management and not wasting food.”
- He concluded, “And we pray in the church, saying, ‘Deliver us from the high cost of living.'”2- Thursday, December 14, 2023, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II Meets with Social Care Priests in the Northern Region, Alexandria, and Canal CitiesHis Holiness Pope Tawadros II held the annual meeting with social care priests from the dioceses of the Northern Region, the governorates of the Suez Canal, and the pastoral sectors of Alexandria, totalling 16 dioceses and pastoral sectors.At the beginning of the meeting, Father Bishoy Charles, Secretary of the Social Care Service, welcomed the attendees, followed by a presentation by the monk Father Paul Ava Mina on the system and steps for establishing a development and social care office in the dioceses.Father Bishoy Nabil spoke about the accomplishments achieved so far in the social care service and about the programs “Educate Your Son,” “Daughter of the King,” and “Blessing Bag.”Ms Heidi al-Fasali from the Central Bank, in her speech, addressed the topic of financial inclusion for marginalized groups and how to teach people to manage their money properly, as well as the role of the church in raising awareness in this context.A short film about the “Educate Your Son” project was also screened, and at the end of the meeting, outstanding students in the preparatory stage who participated in the project, as well as the bishops of the dioceses to which the excelling students belong, were honored.In his speech, His Holiness the Pope thanked the attendees and speakers, and speaking through the verse: “Therefore I urge you, as a prisoner for the Lord, to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” (Ephesians 4:1), he discussed the necessity for a social care priest to be genuine in his service, and he addressed three points under the title “Be a Genuine Priest”:
- In paternal care: that is, to be a true father to the flock, a father who helps, gives, and protects.
- In wise management: that is, to teach your children how to manage their household, financial, educational, and time affairs correctly.
- In saturated service: that is, to ensure that your service, whether spiritual, educational, health, social, or developmental, is beneficial and effective.
His Holiness the Pope praised the services provided by the state and called for the need to raise awareness of these services so that people can benefit from them.
His Holiness also praised the idea of establishing development offices in the dioceses, which contribute to raising the awareness of the church’s children and increasing their ability to become self-reliant.
His Holiness the Pope announced financial support, as a first phase, to be provided to 30 dioceses through the Bishopric of Services, with this support to be directed to the sub-development office in the diocese to fund small projects.
He concluded by inviting everyone to take advantage of the period of Lent and the end of the year and the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ through repentance, practicing the sacrament of confession, and purifying the soul.
2- December 14, 2023, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II Meets with Social Care Priests in the Northern Region, Alexandria, and Canal Cities
His Holiness Pope Tawadros II held the annual meeting with social care priests from the dioceses of the Northern Region, the governorates of the Suez Canal, and the pastoral sectors of Alexandria, totalling 16 dioceses and pastoral sectors.
At the beginning of the meeting, Father Bishoy Charles, Secretary of the Social Care Service, welcomed the attendees, followed by a presentation by the monk Father Paul Ava Mina on the system and steps for establishing a development and social care office in the dioceses.
Father Bishoy Nabil spoke about the accomplishments achieved so far in the social care service and about the programs “Educate Your Son,” “Daughter of the King,” and “Blessing Bag.”
Ms Heidi al-Fasali from the Central Bank, in her speech, addressed the topic of financial inclusion for marginalized groups and how to teach people to manage their money properly, as well as the role of the church in raising awareness in this context.
A short film about the “Educate Your Son” project was also screened, and at the end of the meeting, outstanding students in the preparatory stage who participated in the project, as well as the bishops of the dioceses to which the excelling students belong, were honored.
In his speech, His Holiness the Pope thanked the attendees and speakers, and speaking through the verse: “Therefore I urge you, as a prisoner for the Lord, to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” (Ephesians 4:1), he discussed the necessity for a social care priest to be genuine in his service, and he addressed three points under the title “Be a Genuine Priest”:
- In paternal care: that is, to be a true father to the flock, a father who helps, gives, and protects.
- In wise management: that is, to teach your children how to manage their household, financial, educational, and time affairs correctly.
- In saturated service: that is, to ensure that your service, whether spiritual, educational, health, social, or developmental, is beneficial and effective.
His Holiness the Pope praised the services provided by the state and called for the need to raise awareness of these services so that people can benefit from them.
His Holiness also praised the idea of establishing development offices in the dioceses, which contribute to raising the awareness of the church’s children and increasing their ability to become self-reliant.
His Holiness the Pope announced financial support, as a first phase, to be provided to 30 dioceses through the Bishopric of Services, with this support to be directed to the sub-development office in the diocese to fund small projects.
He concluded by inviting everyone to take advantage of the period of Lent and the end of the year and the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ through repentance, practicing the sacrament of confession, and purifying the soul.
3- Thursday, December 21, 2023 AD… 11 Kiahk 1740 AM
His Holiness the Pope met with the priests of social care in Greater Cairo, Fayoum, and Beni Suef.
His Holiness Pope Tawadros II held the annual meeting today, Thursday, with the social care priests in the dioceses of Benha and Quesna, Shubra El-Kheima, Shebeen El-Qanater, Helwan, Central Giza, Northern Giza, Atfeeh, Tamooh, 6th of October, Osim, Fayoum, Beni Suef, Baba, and El Fashn, totaling 12 dioceses.
At the beginning of the meeting, Father Bishoy Charles, Secretary of Social Care Services, welcomed the attendees, followed by an explanation by Father Antonious Sobhy on the system and steps to establish a development and social care office in the dioceses.
Father Luke Maher then spoke about the vision of the work in the Secretariat of Social Care, along with the achievements so far in social care services, and the programs “Educate Your Child,” “Daughter of the King,” and “Blessing Bag.”
Ambassador Nabila Makram, Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees of the “Fahem” Foundation for Psychological Support, spoke about the vision guiding the work of the foundation, which is to draw society’s attention to the importance of psychological support for others, and to spread and solidify a culture of understanding and respecting the pain of those who are suffering.
Dr. Amira Tawadros, Director of the Demographic Center at the Ministry of Planning and Development, spoke about the Egyptian Family Development Project launched by President Sisi in 2020.
A short film about the “Educate Your Child” project was also shown, and at the end of the meeting, the outstanding students in the preparatory stage who participated in the project were honored, along with the bishops of the dioceses to which these students belong.
In his speech, His Holiness the Pope thanked the attendees and speakers and discussed three key points that social care priests should be aware of:
- Poverty of thought: This means that the priest lacks the ability to think, act, or innovate, which can be remedied through reading and exchanging experiences.
- Neglecting data: Data is important because it reveals the reality, allowing us to address and meet needs accordingly. His Holiness emphasized the need for a specialist in data management in social care services.
His Holiness pointed out that the priest is responsible for guiding the needy and elevating them through three stages:
a. Stage of sufficiency: Where the family’s needs are met at the minimum level.
b. Stage of adequacy: Where the family’s needs are sufficiently met without any shortfalls.
c. Stage of efficiency: Where the family’s needs are fully met with a suitable surplus.
- Maintaining priestly dignity: Ensure that your service is completed to the fullest without compromising the dignity of the priesthood.
His Holiness also announced financial support, as a first stage, which will be provided to 30 dioceses through the Episcopal Services to fund small projects via the diocesan development offices.
4- Thursday, December 28, 2023… 18 Kiahk 1740 A.M. His Holiness the Pope meets with the clergy of pastoral care in Cairo’s pastoral sectors in Maadi.
His Holiness Pope Tawadros II held the annual meeting today, Thursday, with the clergy of social care serving in the churches of the pastoral sectors in Cairo, along with the Diocese of Maadi.
At the beginning of the meeting, Father Bishoy Charles, Secretary of Social Care Services, welcomed the attendees and spoke about the vision of social care work, along with the achievements made so far in the social care service. He also discussed the programs “Educate Your Child,” “Daughter of the King,” and “Blessings Bag.”
His Grace Bishop Julius, General Bishop of Old Cairo and the Episcopal Services, explained the system and steps for establishing the Office of Development and Social Care in the dioceses.
Ambassador Nabila Makram, Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees of the “Fahm” Foundation for Psychological Support, spoke about the vision guiding the foundation’s work, which is to direct society’s attention to the importance of psychological support for others and to promote a culture of understanding and respecting the pain of those who suffer.
Dr. Amira Tawadros, Director of the Demographic Center at the Ministry of Planning and Development, talked about the Egyptian Family Development Project launched by President Sisi in 2020.
A short film about the “Educate Your Child” project was shown, and at the end of the meeting, honors were given to the outstanding students in the preparatory stage who participated in the project, along with the bishops of the dioceses to which these students belong.
In his speech, His Holiness the Pope thanked the attendees and speakers, and spoke about the triangle of education, health, and development, pointing out that focusing on this triangle benefits both the nation and the Church.
He addressed three dimensions related to the partnership in service work:
- Partnership in sustainable development: Each individual is responsible for their role in this, just as Christ organized the feeding of the multitudes in groups, which in management terms is called “system.”
- Partnership in quality of life: This refers to the quality of people’s lives, which comes from the awareness of the priest and his ability to influence within the Church.
- Partnership in general responsibility: Responsibility does not rest solely on the patriarch or the bishop, but is a shared responsibility for everyone.
His Holiness praised the Episcopal Services, describing them as growing over the years, with the work expanding and spreading. The Office of Development is part of this growth, revitalizing the work.
His Holiness the Pope announced financial support, as a first phase, that will be provided to 30 dioceses through the Episcopal Services, with the support directed to the diocesan development offices for the benefit of funding small projects.