Stéphanos II Ghattas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Servant of God Stéphanos II Ghattasإسطفانوس الثاني غطاس CM |
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|---|---|
| Cardinal Patriarch Emeritus of Alexandria |
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| Church | Coptic Catholic Church |
| Diocese | Alexandria |
| See | Alexandria |
| Appointed | 8 June 1986 |
| Reign ended | 27 March 2006 |
| Predecessor | Stéphanos I Sidarouss |
| Successor | Antonios I Naguib |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 25 March 1944 |
| Consecration | 9 June 1967 by Stéphanos I Sidarouss |
| Created Cardinal | 21 February 2001 |
| Rank | Cardinal-Bishop Patriarch |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Andraos Ghattas |
| Born | 16 January 1920 Cheikh Zein-el-Dine, Girga Governorate, Egypt |
| Died | 20 January 2009 (aged 89) Cairo, Egypt |
| Buried | Cathedral of Our Lady of Egypt, Cairo |
| Nationality | Egyptian |
| Denomination | Coptic Catholic Church |
| Previous post |
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| Sainthood | |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church |
| Title as Saint | Servant of God |
Stéphanos II Ghattas (born Andraos Ghattas) was an important leader in the Coptic Catholic Church. He was born on January 16, 1920, and passed away on January 20, 2009. From 1986 to 2006, he served as the head of the Coptic Catholic Church, known as the Coptic Catholic Patriarch of Alexandria. He also held the high rank of Cardinal in the Catholic Church.
Contents
The Life of Stéphanos II Ghattas
Early Life and Education
Andraos Ghattas was born in a small village called Cheikh Zein-el-Dine in Egypt. From a young age, he felt a strong desire to become a priest. As a teenager, he joined a special school for future priests in Cairo. This school is called a minor seminary.
After that, he studied at a Jesuit high school in Cairo. Jesuits are a religious order within the Catholic Church. He then traveled to Rome, Italy, to continue his studies. In Rome, he attended the Pontifical Urbaniana University. He earned two advanced degrees, one in theology and one in philosophy.
Becoming a Priest
Andraos Ghattas was ordained as a priest in Rome on March 25, 1944. After his ordination, he returned to Egypt. He began teaching at Coptic seminaries there. He taught at schools in Tahta and later in Tanta.
In 1952, he joined a religious group called the Congregation of the Mission. This group is also known as the Vincentians. He spent a year in France learning about their way of life. This period is called a novitiate.
Leadership Roles
After his novitiate, Ghattas served in Lebanon for six years. Then, he moved to Alexandria, Egypt. There, he became the leader of the Vincentians in Egypt.
On May 8, 1967, he was chosen to be the Coptic Bishop of Luxor. A bishop is a high-ranking church leader. He was officially made a bishop on June 9, 1967, in Alexandria. This ceremony is called a consecration. Cardinal Stéphanos I Sidarouss, who was the Coptic Patriarch at the time, led the ceremony.
Becoming Patriarch and Cardinal
On June 8, 1986, Stéphanos II Ghattas was elected as the Coptic Catholic Patriarch himself. This is the highest position in the Coptic Catholic Church. Pope John Paul II, the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church, officially approved his election on June 23, 1986.
In 2001, Pope John Paul II named him a Cardinal. Cardinals are very important advisors to the Pope. However, because Cardinal Ghattas was over 80 years old at the time, he could not vote for a new Pope.
Retirement and Legacy
Cardinal Ghattas retired from his role as Patriarch in March 2006. His successor, Antonios Naguib, was elected soon after.
Stéphanos II Ghattas passed away in Cairo on January 20, 2009. He was 89 years old. He was buried in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Egypt in Cairo. His life showed a deep commitment to serving his church and community.
See also
- List of Coptic Catholic Patriarchs of Alexandria
