The procedure for the election of the 118th Coptic pope to succeed Shenouda III who died on 17 March this year, was kick started in Egypt with the publication of the list of 2.594 voters in Coptic newspaper al Watan. The Coptic assembly of voters is always a big mix: other than metropolitans, bishops and monks, it includes representatives of lay associations, Coptic State officials, notables and journalists.
The real news is that this time, the Coptic diaspora will also play an important role in choosing their pope: approximately a fifth of electors will be members of communities based outside Egypt.
The fact that the voters have been selected does not mean the choice of Shenouda’s successor is certain: the election is expected to take place in November.
It should also be noted that the assembly will shortlist three candidates, from which the new pope will be selected at random, according to an ancient method which aims to give divine will the last say.
A provisional list of 17 names was presented at the end of May.
Of these individuals, the most qualified are: the 70 year old Secretary of the Holy Synod, Metropolitan Bishoy - who is no fan of the revolution and little inclined towards dialogue with the Muslims - and 52 year old Bishop Youanis, formerly Shenouda III’s secretary and a far more spiritual figure.
Over the next few weeks, acting Patriarch Bishop Pachomius will approve the probably smaller final list of candidates.
At that point – in a perfect level playing field – the Patriarchate will produce a brief documentary on each candidate and will offer these to Coptic television channels to allow each voter to cast their vote in an informed manner.