On Sunday, September 23, 2012, the children of the Diocese of Los Angeles and the Diocese of the Southern United States enthusiastically signed a petition in Arabic and English supporting our beloved father, His Grace Bishop Serapion. Specifically, the petition was made against the wholly baseless and inappropriate accusation from the Egyptian Attorney General that Bishop Serapion or the Diocese was in any way involved in the film, The Innocence of Muslims.
The English translation stated:
“And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding” (Jeremiah 3:15)
The congregations of the Diocese of Los Angeles and Southern United States state firmly their opposition to the appalling accusations hurled against their beloved father and shepherd Bishop Serapion, Bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles.
The congregations attest to the wisdom and love of Bishop Serapion, his continuous quest for peace and justice for Copts and the Coptic Orthodox Church. Even though we reject all actions that offend others, we strongly also condemn any actions that offend all we hold sacred as well as our sons who have suffered from injustices.
Therefore, we demand to have his Grace’s name be removed from this false charge and affirm that we are sure that time will reveal the person or persons along with the purpose behind such fallacies. We also demand the prosecution of those individuals who freely accused without providing any evidence of the charges.
May God continue to keep our beloved shepherd, Bishop Serapion with the prayers of our beloved and revered Locum Tenens Metropolitan Pakhomious.
In all of the parish churches of the Diocese, thousands enthusiastically signed the petition and showed their great love for, and support of, Bishop Serapion.
