Seminars for the Fathers
The word Seminar means a study circle, and by the same derivation, the word Seminary means an institute, that is, the scholarly meaning in which there is study and dialogue.
Pope Shenouda III believes in study and dialogue. Therefore, since he began his service, he established this intellectual meeting, or these seminars, in his meetings with the priest-fathers. Whether in his meetings with them in Cairo or Alexandria, or in any diocese, or in the diaspora.
Thus, he became accustomed, during his journey to America in the month of August, to meet in a seminar with the priest-fathers of America and Canada, on spiritual, pastoral, doctrinal and theological subjects, or a combination of all of these.
The main subject is presented, and the door is opened for dialogue and questions, in complete freedom for discussion, so that everyone may come out with a certain principle or established information concerning the matters and ideas they examine together.
The matter extended to seminars for the metropolitan and bishop fathers, on certain occasions in which they gather together, apart from the meetings of the Holy Synod.
Many times, some of the heresies that confront our Coptic community were presented in these seminars, such as what is propagated by the Jehovah’s Witnesses or the Adventists, or some modern heresies or theological errors.
The most recent seminar was on Monday, 18/7, the anniversary of the Pope’s monastic profession, when 71 of the metropolitan and bishop fathers met with him in the meeting hall at the Monastery of Saint Anba Bishoy. However, the seminar was about the spirituality of the bishop and his dealings with his priests and his people and with all other bodies. As for the seminars of the priest-fathers in the diaspora, the most recent one was in August 2004, when the Pope met with about 160 priest-fathers, accompanied by ten bishop fathers.
Among the subjects presented at that time was the method of church education for the children and youth of the diaspora.
God willing, he will have another meeting with them at the end of the current August, at Karmet El-Adra in Boston, as is customary every year.
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