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Coptic Pope Tawadros II was conferred the honorary doctorate degree of Pázmány Péter Catholic University. The honorary degree was presented to the leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church by Géza Kuminetz, rector of the university, in Budapest on Monday.
The doctoral inauguration is a special moment in the life of the university, and the conferral of honorary doctorates is a rare, qualitatively great event. With the conferral of an honorary doctorate, the university rewards not only merit in the strict sense of the word, but also “greater wisdom,” said Rector Géza Kuminetz in his welcome speech.
Tawadros II, who was trained as a pharmacist and a cultivator of the positive sciences, decided at one point in his life to become a monk in order to acquire the “greater wisdom” and develop its cultivation to an artistic level,” added the rector.
Zsolt Semjén, Deputy Prime Minister, also responsible for Church Relations (L) and Coptic Pope Tavadros II (R). Photo: MTI/Zoltán Máthé
Speaking to journalists after the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén, who is also responsible for church relations, said that
Hungarian-Egyptian relations are excellent, not only in economic and political terms, but also in cultural, intellectual, and spiritual terms. Tawadros II’s visit to Hungary is proof of this.
The Deputy Prime Minister expressed his thanks and appreciation to Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah Es Sisi for his support for Christians and for the political stability, security and development witnessed in Egypt.
In thanking the university for the honorary degree, Tawadros II said it was also a recognition of the Coptic Church’s loving work in Egypt and around the world. In his speech at the ceremony, the Coptic Orthodox Church leader stressed that his church is committed to science, education, and social development. This is the purpose of the Church’s schools, hospitals, student dormitories, and institutions for refugees and the homeless.
Tawadros II praised Hungary’s emphasis on education and science and thanked the scholarship opportunities for Egyptian students.
He also pointed out that Christian social development is based on five types of love: love of God as creator, love of God’s creation, love of neighbor, love of country, and love of eternity. The Coptic Church leader called it
the duty of Christians to choose love even when confronted with a “greedy and selfish world.”
He stressed the importance of standing up for the values of the family and called for a united and firm stand against those who desecrate the human nature created by God.
Viktor Orbán received the Coptic Pope. Photo: MTI/Prime Minister’s Press Office/Zoltán Fischer
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán received Coptic Pope Tawadros II, the supreme ecclesiastical leader of Egyptian Christians, at the Carmelite Monastery on Tuesday.
During the meeting, the subject of the solidarity and brotherhood of Eastern and Western Christians was discussed, and the prime minister also stressed that Hungary attaches great importance to the protection of Christian communities worldwide.
Tawadros II is paying a four-day visit to Hungary at the invitation of the government, meeting the president, government officials, and clergymen. After meeting the Bishop of Alexandria, President Novák wrote on her social media page:
I have received the Coptic Pope, Tawadros II, at Sandor Palace. I thanked Tawadros II for having celebrated with us on the Feast of King St. Stephen. We have common goals: protecting Christian roots and the family.”
It is estimated that Copts make up around 10 percent of Egypt’s predominantly Muslim population of 93 million.
Featured image: MTI/Zoltán Máthé