Additionally, the Holy Synod decided in its first meeting after Pope Shenouda’s funeral to open the door for nominations for the patriarchate on April 27, 2012.

Bishop Bīshūy, Secretary of the Holy Synod and Metropolitan of Damietta and Kafr al-Shaykh, said that according to a law of 1971, nomination for the patriarch can be received for two months after Pope Shenouda’s death. While other metropolitans, bishops, members of the Milī Council and the association of Coptic endowments said that nominations should be received 40-days after the commemoration of Pope Shenouda’s death in respect and appreciation for His Holliness.

Bishop Bīshūy added that the Holy Synod has approved the statute of 1957 and law 20 of 1971 for the election of the pope.

It was decided that Bishop Abrām, Bishop of al-Faiyum, would be the first secretary for the acting patriarch, with Bishop Mūsá as the general secretary and Bishop Butrus as the Secretary. The Holy Synod will meet on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 to discuss the formation of the nomination committee for the patriarchate.

An official letter from the church would be sent to Field Marshal Husayn Tantāwi, head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to confirm the decision of the Holy Synod to appoint Bishop Pachomius as acting patriarch. [Ahmad al-Sa’dāwī, Al-Shurūq al-Jadīd, March 23, 2012, p. 2] Read original text in Arabic