Coptic Orthodox Church patriarch receives honorary degree, brings message of peace
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His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, the world leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church, spoke of religious peace through mutual understanding as he received an honorary degree Thursday at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield."There are many points of agreement," said the pope, believed by Coptic Christians, who are of Egyptian heritage, to be the 117th patriarch in a continuous line descending from the apostle St. Mark. "All of us agree in the existence of God ...all believe in certain morals, ethics and principles.
He said by promoting understanding of each others religions and focusing on positives, believers of all faiths can live conflict free.The message, and his presence, was well received by those who came to the ceremony at the Southfield university. Many were members of the St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church on Livernois in Troy or the newer St. Mary which shares the same site. The pope made a visit there the previous day.CHEERS AND APPLAUSE
For them, the visit of their 84-year-old patriarch was a rare and sacred event. He entered the room to cheers, applause and the lights of cameras and video recorders.
"We've seen him on TV but not personally," said Magdy Hanna, 24, of Madison Heights and a Wayne State University student.
"He is a very honorable man, and a very delightful man, and I am very happy to see him," said Sherif Gendy, 30, of Madison Heights, who is studying for his U.S. medical license.
Marina Essak, 17, and her brother Mina Essak, 14, of Lake Orion, said they had just returned from a vacation in Egypt, where they saw the pope deliver his weekly televised address.
"I really wanted to see him. He's an influential figure in our faith," said Marina. Both said they have read many of the pope's books. They hope his messages of achieving peace will make a difference.
"He's a very strong person, but he can't do it all by himself," said Mina Essak.
HIGH REGARD
Lawrence Tech President Lewis Walker conferred Shenouda III with the honorary doctor of humanities degree.
"All the great technological achievements and advancements of our civilization are for naught unless we can find a way to live and thrive together in peace and understanding," he said of why a technological university was giving the honor.Earlier this year he met the pope while in Egypt to work on partnerships with universities there. The decision grew out of that meeting, as he came away impressed by his support of higher education and mission of mutual peace and understanding.Egyptian-born Nabil Grace, chair of the civil engineering department at Lawrence, was instrumental in bringing the pope to the U.S."He is called the pope of the Arab world," said Grace. "Members of my faith have enjoyed much more freedom to practice our religion because Pope Shenouda is held in such high regard by the elders and people of Egypt."
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
For Mary Michail of Troy, the pope's visit had extra poignancy.
Michail said when she was a girl in Egypt, the pope appointed her father, the late Rev. Roufail Michail, to start the Troy church.She said while her father was priest of St. Marks, the pope stayed in their home during visits.
"He's very warm, very compassionate just filled with the Holy Spirit."
His public appearances help make a difference in religious understanding, she says. "It brings about awareness and it also attaches a face to the religion."The pope is also known for his sense of humor. When Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence presented him with a key to the city, he thanked her saying, "I promise you that we will not open this city during your absence."
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