East Jerusalem pilgrimage ban still effective

The Coptic Orthodox Church still upholds a ban imposed by the later patriarch on the travel of Copts to occupied East Jerusalem to mark the Holy Week, Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark Diocese said.
Responding to a question by MENA Thursday during a meeting with a number of reporters at the papal HQ, the pope said the Coptic Church has nothing to do with other churches that allow such travel.
Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark Diocese, who passed away March 2012, prohibited Coptic Orthodox Egyptians from traveling to East Jerusalem for pilgrimage until the Israeli occupation is over.
"The Christians will not enter Jerusalem unless hand-in-hand with their Muslim brothers," the late Pope used to say.
The pope hailed the role of the media in handling several issues but urged media persons to commit to accuracy when covering news that could stir confusion among the people.
During a meeting with a number of reporters at the papal HQ on Thursday, Pope Tawadros II said since coming to office he was keen to form a secretariat board and appoint advisers to help him carry out his duties inside and outside Egypt.
He said he is considering consecrating a bishop for family affairs.
The Coptic pope said he would not be giving his weekly sermon until May 27 due to the Holy Week and Easter Day and his participation in Armenia's ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the genocide.
The new regulation for the election of the pope, which was ratified last week by the president, will widen the voter base, he said.
"Late Pope Shenouda III was elected by 700 persons, me by 2,500 and the next one by 10,000," he concluded.
Source: MENA