[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 23, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1774-E1775]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN HONOR OF HIS HOLINESS POPE SHENOUDA III

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 23, 1998

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome Pope Shenouda III 
of the Coptic Orthodox Church to the United States and specifically the 
New Jersey/New York region.
  The Coptic Church is responsible for many contributions to 
Christianity, including the Nicene Creed which is today recited by 
Christian churches around the world and thousands of biblical and 
theological texts produced by the early Coptic Church. Today those 
texts are valued by historians and theologians alike.
  Pope Shenouda III is a profound theologian, an eloquent preacher, an 
accomplished author, and an able leader of Christian unity. Before his 
consecration as Pope, His Holiness was a successful student, a 
charismatic teacher, and a pious monk.
  Since his consecration in 1971, Pope Shenouda III has led the Coptic 
Orthodox Church to a world-wide resurgence. In North America alone, the 
Coptic Church has established over 70 new churches in the last twenty 
years.
  Pope Shenouda III has traveled around the globe in the interest of 
Christian unity. In 1973, His Holiness was the first Coptic Pope to 
visit the Vatican in over 1,500 years. His Holiness has also kept in 
close contact with sister Orthodox churches with visits to 
Constantinople, Moscow, Romania, Bulgaria, and Antioch. Pope Shenouda 
III has also advanced relations with many Protestant churches as shown 
by his dialogue with the World Alliance of Reformed Churches in 1993.

[[Page E1775]]

  Before I conclude my remarks, I would like to thank the Consul 
General of Egypt in New York, Soheir Zaki, for hosting a reception for 
His Holiness today.
  On behalf of my colleagues, I welcome Pope Shenouda III on his visit 
to this country, and hope that his stay is a pleasant and fruitful one.

                          ____________________