Whoever replaces the deceased Pope Shenouda III will confront an era of unprecedented political uncertainty, writes Sameh Fawzi* For Copts, it is a time for mourning. Pope Shenouda III, the 117th Pope of Alexandria, passed away at 88 years. Described as the "Pope of Arabs", Shenouda's papacy lasted for more than four decades. The towering religious figure built bridges between Muslims and Christians, shouldered Coptic concerns in public life, defended the Palestinian cause, and consolidated the popular resistance to normalisation with Israel through his unshaken refusal of Christian pilgrimage to Jerusalem under occupation. Weeping mourners thronged St Mark's Cathedral in Cairo, forming long queues, in the hope of catching a last glimpse of the pope who led the largest Eastern Christian community, almost 10 million inside Egypt and in the diaspora. Nevertheless, the outpouring is difficult to disentangle from Coptic fears over the political situation prevailing since the fall of the Mubarak regime in 2011. The funeral of Pope Shenouda took place Tuesday morning and was attended by Egyptian officials, foreign delegations, the international media and religious figures from all backgrounds. Arguably it is the first occasion since the 25 January Revolution that Egypt received such international attention, was visited by high delegations from other countries, and appeared as a land of diversity rather than a troubled country struggling for democracy in an uncertain environment. After taking to the St Mark's papal chair on 14 November 1971, Pope Shenouda embarked on reform policies and expanded the presence of the Coptic Orthodox Church on every continent. The church, under his leadership, became "regional" and "global", and not merely limited to Egypt. His body, dressed in an embroidered robe, was seated for three days on the St Mark's throne, as hundreds of thousands of Copts came from every part of Egypt to pay their respects to one of the most important popes in the modern history of the church and Egypt. Shenouda had controversial relations with two Egyptian presidents, Sadat and Mubarak, as a result of a changing political atmosphere and left the church amid massive political changes in Egypt, carrying hopes for participation and citizenship, and also fears of the dominance of political Islam. During his papacy, political changes posed real challenges for Christians in Egypt, not only some Islamic discourses that strip Copts of their inherited citizenship rights, but also the artificial Islamic atmosphere that impacts the multicultural diversity of Egypt. Pope Shenouda was ironically accused by some Islamists of being sectarian, against national unity, and sometimes anti-Islam. After his death, however, no one, including his critics, could repeat these same accusations. Rather, all hailed his contribution to social peace, Arab rights and national interests. If sectarian tensions sporadically hit Muslim-Christian relationships, Pope Shenouda could diffuse anger, soothe hot situations, and at the same time strongly express Coptic chagrin, sometimes in the most modest manner. According to a former official during Mubarak era, the silence of Pope Shenouda was frightening for government. According to the 1957 statute, the process of choosing the new pope can take up to three months. The Coptic Orthodox Synod, comprising all Coptic bishops inside and outside Egypt, will form a committee to receive nominations. Candidates should be at least 40 years old, having been a monk for not less than 15 years. Any candidate should have recommendations from six bishops. The electorate consists of members of the Synod, current and former Coptic ministers, Coptic members of the parliament, and also representatives of the dioceses and Coptic journalists carrying Press Syndicate membership. After the election, the first three names are then put in a box and a child picks one out -- a step meant to ensure that the process of choosing the new pope is guided by the will of God, and not only human choices. A lot of expectations will surround the new pope. First, being the successor to a charismatic pope, he has to focus on the institutional profile of the church. The expansion of the church internally, nationally and internationally needs organisational commitment and the "special talents and exceptional presence" of the likes of Pope Shenouda. Second, the new political openness in Egypt, a consequence of the 25 January Revolution, requires a new approach from the new pope characterised by a deep understanding of political factions, cultural trends, new socio- political movements, recognition of pluralism, and the wide participation of Copts in public life, independent from church. Third, the new pope has to approach the Christian community with a modernised discourse in social and cultural matters, making correlations between social norms and theological understanding, particularly in the issues of democracy, human rights, citizenship and social justice. Definitely the successor of Pope Shenouda will come to St Mark's chair in an atmosphere of political uncertainty. A lot of Coptic problems persist, especially the building and repairing of churches, the lack of religious freedoms, and political underrepresentation -- all open files that remain on the table in debate between the government and the church. * The writer is a political analyst.
