Holy Father explained that “those who vehemently protest [the document] belong to small ideological groups,” while the Catholic Church in Africa presented “a special case” because “for them, homosexuality is something 'ugly' from a cultural point of view.”
But the inscription of modern-day martyrs of another church in the Catholic liturgical calendar is a significant first, according to Bishop Brian Farrell, secretary of the Vatican office responsible for relations with other Christian churches.This is the beginning of a new era of relations, Farrell said.The Vatican will likely designate February 15 as their feast day, the same day the Coptic Orthodox Church honours them, officials said.Tawadros was at the Vatican to commemorate the 50th anniversary of a historic meeting between his predecessor, Shenouda III, and St. Paul VI.