José Ramón Villar, professor at School of Theology. PHOTO: Manuel Castells

From January 18 to 25, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is celebrated under the topic "United in the teaching of the apostles, in fraternal communion, in the breaking of bread and in prayer" (cf. Acts 2:42). On this occasion, José Ramón Villar, professor of the School of Theology of the University of Navarra and consultant of the Ecumenism Commission of the Spanish Episcopallecture , has spoken in the media about the relationship between the different confessions of Christianity.

What is the origin of the various confessions of Christianity?
Throughout history there have been many phenomena of historical-cultural subject and of the interpretation of the Christian faith, which have led to some separations. Although in the Mediterranean we have the experience of the Latin rite, it should not be forgotten that Christianity was born in the Middle East, the area of present-day Turkey and North Africa. These Christian communities, more original than our Latin rite, are often unknown to us, although the recent attacks that have unfortunately occurred there have made us more aware of them.

Are you referring to the attacks in Egypt against the Copts? Who are they?
The Coptic Church is simply the Christian community in Egypt where, according to tradition, St. Mark preached in the first century. The word Coptic is a linguistic derivation, somewhat complex, of a term meaning "Egyptian". The Copts are thus the "Egyptians", the Christians of Egypt. They constitute the Patriarchate of Alexandria, one of the ancient Christian patriarchates (along with Jerusalem, Antioch, Rome and Constantinople), with its own tradition or rite (Alexandrian) of which the Church of Ethiopia and the Church of Eritrea are also part. In addition, there are Coptic communities scattered throughout Europe, Australia and America. The Coptic Church is still separated from the Orthodox Churches, which separated from Rome in 1054 (Constantinople, Moscow, etc.), as well as from the Roman Catholic Church, although there is a Coptic Catholic Church united to Rome, the Coptic Catholics.

Why did this disintegration occur?
The Coptic Church is one of the so-called Ancient Eastern Churches that separated from the rest of Christianity because they did not accept the decisions of the Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon, in 451, on the dual nature, divine and human, of Jesus Christ. Instead, these Churches held something closer to the so-called "monophysitism". In addition, there were other reasons of political, social and cultural distancing with the Byzantine Empire, then present in the Middle East, subject . Since then they only recognize the authority of the Patriarch of Alexandria, who is the head of the Coptic Church: he is the so-called Pope Shenouda III, who lives in Cairo and is the patriarch issue 117.

What is the status of the Coptic Church in the perspective of the Catholic Church?
It is similar to that of the Orthodox Churches of Byzantine rite (Constantinople, Russia, Romania, etc.). It happens that in the case of the Coptic Church, besides being separated from Rome, it is also separated from the Byzantine Orthodox. 

What is the scenario like in Egypt, where the majority professes another religion?
The Coptic minority has been respected by Islam, albeit with restrictions and impositions. Episodes of violence have occurred sporadically. But since the end of the 1970s, the difficulties caused by Islamic fundamentalism and the obstacles placed by the Egyptian government on the life of the Church have increased. Between 1981 and 1985 the Egyptian government of Sadat subjected Pope Shenouda III to arrest in a monastery in the desert. The Copts consider themselves discriminated against in their own country.

What are the differences between a Copt and a Catholic Christian and an Orthodox Christian?
There are no differences in fundamental Christian and moral-ethical values. Other significant distinctions, both with Catholics and Orthodox, occur in the ritual sphere, which is not a reason for ecclesial separation, since a rite is a set of liturgical, disciplinary and spiritual forms proper and legitimate to a Christian area (Latin rite, Antiochian rite, Byzantine rite, etc.). The Coptic Church seeks to preserve the Christian faith in its most ancient, somewhat archaizing form. From the doctrinal point of view, the differences lie in the recognition of the authority of the Bishop of Rome in the universal Church, a question they share with the Byzantine Orthodox. Regarding the problem of the person of Christ, a great rapprochement took place when Pope Paul VI and Shenouda III signed a Christological agreement in 1973, and in 1990 another agreement with the Byzantine Orthodox Churches; and at present the dialogue between the Coptic Church and the Catholic Church continues on the issues that differentiate us.

You have explained what a rite is, how is it different from a church?
Several churches can share the same rite. Therefore, the rite does not indicate ecclesial membership. As over the centuries, some communities of the separated Churches return to union with the Catholic Church, there are also Eastern Catholic Churches of all rites: Alexandrian, Antiochian, Armenian, Chaldean and Byzantine. These Churches are governed within the Catholic Church by their own discipline, liturgy and usages, and with their own Canon Law , which has been recently revised and published in the "Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches", C by Pope John Paul II in 1990.

Besides the Copts, what other splits have occurred in Christianity?
After the separation of the ancient Eastern Churches in the 5th century, the great split of Eastern Christianity occurred in the 11th century. They are the Orthodox of the Byzantine rite of Eastern Europe: Patriarchates of Constantinople, Moscow, Romania, Serbia, etc. They are more familiar to us because we now live in Spain with many of their members due to immigration. The next great rupture occurred in the West in the 16th century, with the Protestant Reformation (Luther, Calvin, etc.). It is necessary to add the separation of the Church of England with Henry VIII, which gave rise to the Anglican Communion (or Episcopalians in the United States). In turn, Protestantism has given rise to different currents: Lutheranism, Calvinism or Presbyterianism, Methodism, etc.

Was there also a diversity of communities within Protestantism?
Yes, especially since the 19th century, with the so-called "second reformation", a great variety of groups appeared: they are the so-called "Free Churches", subject congregationalist, Baptist, Pentecostal, etc... They do not belong to a traditional ecclesiastical institution, such as Lutherans, Presbyterians or Anglicans. Although they follow the Gospel of Jesus, they feel less bound by an ecclesiastical structure. Certain evangelist groups arising from these currents sometimes generate mistrust, especially in South American countries, because they exercise an activity among Catholics that is not always loyal.

What do all these communities share in order to say that they are Christian?
Much more than what separates us. Christians are united by the same baptism, faith in God the Trinity and in Jesus Christ, acceptance of the Sacred Scripture, some sacraments (in a greater or lesser issue ). For example, we have a great common heritage between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Churches, and what disunites us is the topic of the Papal Primacy. On the other hand, with the Protestant interpretation of Christianity, there are doctrinal issues that separate us more. And among Protestants there are also differences: a Lutheran is not the same as a Pentecostal evangelist, to give an example.

At what status are the relationships between Christians?
After the Second Vatican Council, ecumenical dialogue began between the Catholic Church and the different Christian confessions. In these years, contacts have been strengthened through an official theological dialogue and also through visits of authorities or delegations. There are very fluid relations, which is very encouraging to overcome soon these separations that come from history.

What is the formula to reach a coexistence with other religions?
Indeed, the relationship between Christians and non-Christians of other religions is a different matter. There is an interreligious dialogue between Christians and Muslims, Buddhists, etc. In any case, there is a necessary requirement to solve the problems of coexistence, and that is to guarantee the religious freedom of individuals and religious communities as a human right that the international community should promote in countries that do not value it, whether they are Islamic countries or any other official religious creed, or none at all (China, etc.).