The Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom responds to the Government Equalities Office Consultation relating to same-sex civil marriage
14/6/2012
The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre UK
Media and Public Relations Office
The Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom responds to the Government Equalities Office Consultation relating to same-sex civil marriage.
In response to the Government Equalities Office Consultation, The Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom has stated that it cannot support the proposal relating to same-sex civil marriage, listing the following items for careful consideration:
1. While this current Consultation attempts to reassure by claiming that “the Government does not propose to open up religious marriage to same-sex couples”, the term ‘marriage’ in itself is one that has been utilised within a religious context for millennia, and applied to a sanctified and Sacramental union between a man and a woman. The mere redefinition of this term as proposed would indeed change the meaning as commonly defined and understood and would in turn place unnecessary pressure and expectation upon religious institutions to move in the same direction.
2. There is no apparent benefit to society from the redefinition of marriage to incorporate ‘civil marriage’, as Civil Partnerships currently allow for equal rights and responsibilities. To alter this definition is to undoubtedly directly impact religious institutions, undermine the sanctity of marriage and infringe upon freedom of religious practice.
3. From a legal perspective, the presence of potentially ambiguous laws and loose terminology surrounding this issue is likely to lead to an imposition on religious institutions, especially in considering the various recent rulings of the European courts on matters of state security, deportation and other such issues that have infringed upon practice within the United Kingdom.
4. It must be noted that the use of inaccurate and emotive language referring to a “ban on same-sex marriage”, erroneously implies that such partnerships once existed and were then “banned”, and this is clearly not the case.
His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom has said the following with regards to this matter:
“Marriage, as it stands, benefits society in many ways by being a monogamous loving relationship that allows for a wonderful union that potentially brings forth a new life, and celebrates the distinguishing and complementary differences between a man and a woman. ‘Marriage’ is by no means a term that discriminates but rather, distinguishes one type of union from another.”
To read the full response please visit www.CopticCentre.Blogspot.com or click here. For more information please contact:
Media and Public Relations Officer
The Coptic Orthodox Church UK
Tel: +44 (0)207 1937076
Media and Public Relations Office
The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre
Shephalbury Manor
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Hertfordshire SG2 8NP
England, United Kingdom
Tel.: +44 (0)207 1937076
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Office Email: Media@CopticCentre.com
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I’m An Egyptian Coptic Orthodox, in urgent/desperate
need of HELP Please could someone from the Church in England contact me! (Where is the Coptic Church when you really need it
for God’s sake)!!!!
————————————————————Date:
September.07th.2012
First Name: Said
Middle Names: Adly Ayaad
Last Name: MEKHAEIL
Date Of Birth: April.21st.1976
Place of Birth: Alexandria City /Egypt
Current location/Address:
Via Lactea 37 Int.3
Real Del Sol
Tlajomulco De Zuniga
Jalisco
State
Mexico
45654
Telephone Number (52)(1)331 723 6810
Occupation: Sociologist/Previous University
professor in Mexico.
To Whom It May Concern,
My name is Shaady
Mekhaeil, I Grew up in United States
illegally since I was a child. In 2010, I was put under a so called CAT
protection (=Convention Against Torture visa) by the Department
Of Homeland Security, because my Dad, was an alcoholic, and left me on the streets
in America since I was 16. Nevertheless,
I was not allowed to,neither work legally or leave the United States.
Therefore, I couldn’t survive financially, and I ended up on the streets in
America with a degree that I can’t legally work with.
I have no contact with my biological father since I was 16.
And I do have a mother, that lives in Alexandria Egypt that can’t assist me,
financially at all. I do call her, every once in a while.
In 2010, I was offered to come to Mexico, and to work as a
college professor for a University called UNE.( I have temporary residency
here with a scientist/technical title).
On July.04th.2012, I was a sleeping passenger in a car
without a seat-belt, that crashed into a bus. My head went right
through the windshield of that car, and because the driver thought I was dead,
he left me, and ran off. A teenager found me in the car, and called the
Ambulance.
To cut the story short, I had 3 surgeries on my Head
and face, and almost lost my right eye. I’m thankful to God that I’m alive
.
The University, had, cut down my hours, and they refused
to provide me with health insurance, which is the law in Mexico.
So When I threatened to suit them, because I was desperate
for medical attention, they terminated me.
I sold everything I have, to fix my face and, to pay for food
and lost my house, that I was renting, and now I live in a room.
I couldn’t find another job, and now I teach English and
communication privately. But that is barely keeps me above water.
I’m dying in Mexico, and have barely money for
food and rent.
However, after a very intensive and long search, I received a
contract to work at the Hyde Park Hotel in London, and they are currently
processing my work permit to the UK.
The Hotel also promised, according to the contract, to
pay, for my accommodation, and food. It a very good salary position, and it
came in the right time.
The Hotel also promised to reimbursed me for the flight
ticket once I get to England and start working.
What do I need help with: I need a Father or
any church member, to help me with the air ticket to England
please, very urgently. Once I receive my visa from the British
consulate in Mexico City. THIS WILL SAVE MY LIFE.
I do not need any money from the Church,
I need help with a ticket, and I’m willing to surrender my
passport to the church in England, as a guarantee that I will pay back
for the ticket.
Please HELP me, I’m desperate to get out of here. I begg
you on my knees to HELP. I don’t know what to do.
Please call me, and I will send you all my documents.
You could use a website like Expedia.com, in order to find
the cheapest ticket possible.
We call each-other brothers and sisters!!! Why can’t anyone
finally respond!!! I’m really frustrated. I even sold my bed, and I sleep on
the floor here.
This is not a scam, I need desperate help.
If you read this
letter, and you can’t help me, please forward this letter to
someone that might be able to help.
Again as much as I need money for food, and shelter, I don’t want
anything but a ticket out of here.
I’m dying in Mexico……Please HELP ME, PLEASE HELP!!!
I had included a copy of my passport, and I expect to get my
work permission from UK immigration by next week.
Sincerely Shaady MEKHAEIL (your Brother)
Email.: s0115213317236810@yahoo.com
May God Bless you and your Family
Tel.: (52)(1)3317236810
please call me at any time
P.S.: I will keep sending this around the hour to All
coptic orthodox
In the UK, untill someone finally
responds!!! Do I have to write
to POP SHINODA III to get
help!!! Please HELP ME for
God’s sake.
Shaady Mekhaeil its such a con, a professional scammer. Yes!, he is actually in Mexico City running a language Academy under the name BCR where he scams locals into the belief they would learn English in 3 months using a fake learning system. He has several lawsuits, he also fathered two minors he does not pay child support. He was actually deported from the US due to illegal practices there as well. His trail of scams dont stop….he is actually a very violent person and fouled mouth. He is under government investigation in Mexico for posing as a Professor using fake titles/certificates. Don’t trust a word this conman says…..
i will add to this he is a scammer rude,violent has no respect for women lies a lot am really surprised to read this i think he is trying to escape the mexican police asshole he will forever be miserable he tells lies dont believe him please