The meeting was attended by His Eminence Metropolitan Thomas, and members of the Coptic Orthodox Church Committee, led by His Grace Bishop Abraham, auxiliary bishop in Los Angeles. The WCC delegation accompanying Pillay included Rev. Prof. Dr Kuzipa Nalwamba, WCC programme director for Unity, Mission, and Ecumenical Formation; Rev. Prof. Dr Benjamin Simon, dean of the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey and director of the WCC Commission on Ecumenical Education and Formation; and Prof. Dr Andrej Jeftić, WCC Faith and Order director.
During the meeting, Pillay provided an overview of the WCC’s ongoing work, highlighting the Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity as a unifying framework for the WCC’s initiatives. He also outlined plans for the upcoming Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order and the Global Ecumenical Theological Institute, both scheduled to take place in October 2025 at the Papal Logos Center of St Bishoy Monastery, hosted under the auspices of the Coptic Orthodox Church. In addition, Pillay addressed pressing global challenges and conflicts, underscoring the critical role churches must play in fostering peace and reconciliation in these turbulent times.
Pillay expressed heartfelt gratitude to His Holiness for his warm hospitality and steadfast support for the events commemorating the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (325 AD). He emphasized the unique opportunity these gatherings present to bring the global Christian fellowship to Egypt, allowing participants to engage with the rich theological and spiritual traditions upheld by the local churches in the region.
His Holiness Pope Tawadros II warmly welcomed the delegation and shared insights into the life and work of the Coptic Orthodox Church, both in Egypt and globally. He expressed his delight at hosting the upcoming Faith and Order world conference and the Global Ecumenical Theological Institute, underscoring the Coptic Orthodox Church’s commitment to fostering Christian unity. His Holiness outlined a fourfold approach to achieving visible unity: building relationships, exploring Christian history, engaging in theological dialogue, and sharing in prayer and spiritual life.
Pillay and the WCC delegation also met with representatives of WCC member churches: Rev. Refat Fathy from the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Egypt Synod of the Nile and Canon Dr Bahig Ramzy from the Anglican Episcopal Province of Egypt. Discussions focused on strengthening the churches’ relationships with the WCC and exploring the opportunities presented by the 2025 Ecumenical Year for deeper engagement with the WCC’s programmatic work and the broader Christian fellowship. Fathy and Ramzy expressed their commitment to the work of the WCC and willingness to collaborate in the WCC events that will take place in Egypt next year.
The visit also included a pilgrimage to the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral of St Mark and nearby holy sites, further enriching the experience of solidarity and shared faith.
The WCC delegation expressed heartfelt thanks to His Holiness Pope Tawadros II and the Coptic Orthodox Church for their generous hospitality, noting the deep spiritual and ecumenical significance of their time in Egypt.