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Catholicism

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › Other Churches and Faiths › Catholicism

The question

Does the the Coptic Orthodox Church believe that the Theotokos committed personal sin during her lifetime? Also, was there ever a moment in her life when she was not filled with the Holy Ghost?
 
How does Oriental Orthodoxy recognize the Catholic Mysteries, especially Eucharist and Apostolic Succession.? Are Catholic Mysteries (i.e. Sacraments) considered to be "valid"? Would a convert to the Coptic Church have to be re-baptized?

The answer

The Coptic Church believes that the holy Theotokos was always filled with the Holy Spirit. Although she was born with the original sin, she was pure and holy all her  life not having committed any personal sin.

With regard to the Mystery of Baptism, one is baptized in the faith of the Church he has been  baptized in.

In baptism one declares that they accept all the beliefs of this Church as their own. Being baptized in the Catholic Church means you believe in all the dogma of this Church including the Immaculate Conception, the Procession from the Son, the infallibility of the Pope, the Purgatory and other dogmas that are not acceptable in the Coptic Church. Therefore to become a member of the Coptic Church you need to be baptized in the faith of this Church. Accordingly all the Mysteries of this Church are part of her beliefs.

We believe that the Catholic Church is an apostolic Church and accept its Apostolic succession but do not acknowledge the Supremacy of the Pope of Rome.

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

Related questions

Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 1002 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.