By the grace of God, the bi-annual meeting of the Bishops of North America was held with the presence of the honored fathers:
❖ H.E. Metropolitan Serapion, Metropolitan of Los Angeles, Southern California, and Hawaii
❖ H.G. Bishop Youssef, Bishop of the Southern USA
❖ H.G. Bishop Suriel, Bishop in the Diocese of Los Angeles
❖ H.G. Bishop David, Bishop of New York and New England
❖ H.G. Bishop Karas, Bishop of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and West Virginia
❖ H.G. Bishop Peter, Bishop of North, South Carolina, and Kentucky
❖ H.G. Bishop Abraham, Auxiliary Bishop in the Diocese of Los Angeles
❖ H.G. Bishop Kyrillos, Auxiliary Bishop in the Diocese of Los Angeles
❖ H.G. Bishop Saraphim, Bishop of Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana
❖ H.G. Bishop Basil, Auxiliary Bishop in the Diocese of the Southern USA
❖ H.G. Bishop Gregory, Auxiliary Bishop in the Diocese of the Southern USA
Also, participated in the meeting via Zoom due to the coronavirus travel restrictions, the honored fathers:
❖ H.G. Bishop Mina, Bishop of Mississauga, Vancouver, and Western Canada
❖ H.G. Bishop Boulos, Bishop of Eastern Canada
The meeting was hosted by H.E. Metropolitan Serapion, Metropolitan of Los Angeles, Southern California, and Hawaii, from May 17-21, 2021.
His Holiness Pope Tawadros II delivered a spiritual word at the meeting via Zoom, contemplating the verse, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth” (Rev 21:1). His Holiness explained how the Resurrection linked heaven to earth and how this link can be seen in the Church, the Bible, priesthood, and monasticism. Likewise, the earth is linked to heaven through the liturgy, praises, service, and repentance.
His Holiness expressed his support and encouragement of the meeting of the Bishops of North America, and affirmed the importance of cooperation between the dioceses in America through a defined practical program.
During the conference sessions, the bishops discussed:
Aspects of joint cooperation between the dioceses in various fields, including:
- A joint meeting of parish priests to be held from January 10-13, 2022 at Saint Stephen’s Retreat Center in Florida
- A joint convention between the youth of the dioceses to be held in the summer of 2022
- Theological standards in pastoral management and how to apply them in practical life were discussed
- Setting standards for the work of the clerical councils of marital affairs in America
- Discussed the organization of evangelism in America
At the end of the conference, the bishops visited a convent being established for nuns in the name of St. Catherine and St. Verena and a monastery of St. Paul the Apostle for monks, which is also being established.
The bishops agreed that, God willing, the next meeting, will be held from October 25-29, 2021 in Michigan in the hospitality of His Grace Bishop Saraphim.
May the Lord bless all work for the glory of His Holy Name.
Download the Arabic/English communique here.
