So Can Catholics and Coptic Orthodox Christians Marry Now?

Although I am sure that you are all aware of this, Catholics and Copts now recognize each other's baptisms.

Just like the Eastern Orthodox, who are of a different tradition but have the same faith, Catholics have officially been deemed to be of the same faith.

The shared declaration by Pope Francis and Pope Tawadros II:

Catholics and Copts, it says, can witness together to the shared values of human life, the sacredness of marriage and the family, and respect for creation. The declaration calls for intensified prayers for all Christians who are persecuted and killed for their faith, especially in Egypt and the Middle East.

Comments

  • You have to be careful by what "recognize each other's baptisms" means. Some will take it to imply a priest from one church an perform the baptism of the other rite. Some will take it to imply that we are baptized in the same faith but that faith is expressed differently (which questions what the "same faith" really means). Some will take it to imply that if baptism is recognized, all the sacraments are recognized. None of these were actually stated in the declaration. Nor does the declaration unequivocally state that each church officially recognizes the other's baptism. Rather it states we are working towards more unity. 

    So officially in the Coptic Church one cannot marry a Catholic without some form of conversion, charismation or other process that acknowledges full fidelity to the Coptic faith. 
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