Papal Election Controversy
The spirit of objection is foreign to me. In my many years of priestly service, I have never viewed any of the Church fathers negatively. I see them through the lens of Christ's righteousness, as vessels chosen by the Holy Spirit to glorify God despite their human weaknesses. They are our fathers and instructors, those who have taught us the word of God (Hebrews 13:7).
A Church in Controversy
Yet what can we say about the rising objections to certain nominees? What will this controversy yield? And how can we navigate these turbulent waters without falling into the trap of division?
Before the official list of candidates was announced, I published two articles by the grace of God: “The New Pope and the Contemporary Challenges” and “The Nomination to the Papacy.” In them, I discussed our hopes for the next patriarch, the spirit in which the election should be conducted, and the proper way to raise objections if necessary. I do not intend to repeat those points here.
Rather, I want to affirm that recognizing the spiritual glory of the Church’s fathers does not mean denying or ignoring their human limitations. The Orthodox Church does not teach papal infallibility. Thus, it is understandable—though still delicate—that some may raise questions or objections concerning a nominee’s relationships with youth, clergy, or other denominations; their interactions with government and society; their financial conduct; their spiritual influence; or even their motives for accepting the nomination.
God Sees the Heart
It is not my place to judge or defend any nominee. That belongs to God, the supreme Judge, who searches all hearts.
“The Lord is in His holy temple… His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men” (Psalm 11:4).
We must trust that each nominee, being a man of God, will search his own heart and motives:
“For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him?” (1 Corinthians 2:11).
Still, when real weaknesses exist, they must be addressed wisely—lest we test the Lord (Deuteronomy 6:16; Luke 4:12). If such matters pose a threat to the Church’s peace or could cause spiritual harm, they should be raised with discernment and love, never in ways that damage the dignity of our fathers or the unity of the Church.
Zeal Without Knowledge
Unfortunately, much of what we see today is far from this spirit. Some objections are shared recklessly—publicly on social media and in the press—out of what is claimed to be zeal. But as St. Paul warned,
“They have zeal for God, but not according to knowledge” (Romans 10:2).
These reactions neglect proper spiritual and ecclesiastical conduct. Our Lord Jesus taught us to address our concerns privately with one another (Matthew 18:15). How much more should we respect this principle when dealing with our honored fathers?
Ideally, such concerns should be shared confidentially with the nominee himself. If still necessary, they may be brought—respectfully—to His Eminence Metropolitan Pakhomious, the Locum Tenens, or to the Nominations Committee. But what we witness today lacks the reverence and restraint appropriate to the Church of Christ.
The Danger of Irreverence
Some objectors publish their names alongside public accusations; others hide behind pseudonyms. All claim to speak “truth.” But in Scripture and Church history, truth was never proclaimed without courage or without holiness. Those who speak like prophets must first possess the Spirit of Elijah (Luke 1:17) and the boldness of John the Baptist (Mark 6:18).
Moreover, threats of releasing files or calls for schism have no place in the Church. Such actions are incompatible with the Spirit of Christ,
“Who, when He suffered, did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Peter 2:23).
The publishing of damaging material—if it exists—is contrary to the love that covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). And the cry for autocephaly contradicts the Lord’s desire for the unity of His Church (John 17:21).
The Pain of Division
My heart aches for the Church in Egypt. Amid national instability and external pressure, the internal turmoil of the papal election is deeply painful. As St. Paul wrote,
“We were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears” (2 Corinthians 7:5).
I also feel for the Nominations Committee, who bear a heavy burden. How will they reduce the list to seven? No doubt, they will follow the bylaws, but at what cost? The danger is real—that the process may fracture the Church or the Holy Synod if things continue in this spirit.
We pray it never comes to that.
The Way of Christ
To escape this crisis, we must look to the Lord Jesus Christ. When confronted about paying the temple tax, He humbled Himself—though exempt—so as not to cause offense (Matthew 17:24–27). He,
“Being in the form of God… made Himself of no reputation… and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:6–8).
Resolution does not lie solely with the Nominations Committee or the objectors. It lies chiefly with the nominees themselves—the pillars of the Church (Galatians 2:9), the strong who are called to bear the burdens of the weak (Romans 15:1). We trust in their wisdom and their Christ-like humility.
Perhaps some, by their own choice, will quietly and voluntarily withdraw for the sake of the Church’s peace. Those who do will not lose their honor, but gain it—becoming, as the Lord said,
“The last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35).
Let It Be the Will of God
Above all, we entrust this matter to the will of God. Let His Spirit guide the Church through the storm to peace and unity. We pray for the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church of God—that she may be edified, strengthened, and led by the Spirit of truth.
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