From blog member Samer al-Batal
Eastern churches



Egyptian pope secludes himself in desert monastery
S al-B: With this act, Pope Shenouda has helped his flock by giving its grievances the weight of credence, seriousness, and more importantly where the government is concerned, authority with the official signal that the highest ranks of the clergy are royally miffed.

It also calls to mind the ancient Eastern rule that the bishop remains a monastic.

Let us pray for the pope and the Copts.