The church, citing biblical injunctions, has categorically rejected the verdict.
In his challenge, the pope plans to point out that the ruling contradicts a previous verdict by the Court of Cassation, which ruled that marriage was a personal status issue that falls under church jurisdiction and barred the judiciary from interfering in church affairs, as is stipulated in Article I of Law 462 of 1955.
The pope plans to challenge the administrative court ruling before the Supreme Constitutional Court.
In a related development, Egypt's Coptic, Anglican and Catholic churches have agreed to amend the so-called "Unified Personal Status Draft Law for Non-Muslims"--currently under discussion by the Justice Ministry before being submitted to parliament--and rename it the "Unified Law for Christians in Egypt."
The move is meant to deter other non-Muslim sects--such as Bahais and certain Christian sects not recognized by the orthodox churches--from asking to be included in the draft law.
SIC: ALAL