The Clerical Council for Family Affairs-PA Local District (CCFFPA), was established by H.G. Bishop Karas in 2020 to serve the congregation of the newly established diocese of Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and West Virginia (Diocese of PA and Its Affiliated Regions). The Council is the tribunal authorized by the Coptic Orthodox Church to adjudicate applications for remarriage, grant or refuse permissions to remarry and all related family affairs.
Effective September 2020, the Council is presided by H.G. Bishop Karas of the Bishop of the Diocese of Diocese of PA and Its Affiliated Regions. The council is comprised of seven additional members: Fr. Roufail Youssef, Fr. Bishoy Mikhail, Fr. Sheounda Ebied, Fr. Antonious Salib, and Fr. Moses Fahmy (Secretary), Dr. Nader Hanna, and Ms. Mariam Ramzy, Esq.
The Council is headquartered at the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Pennsylvania and Its Affiliated Regions in Conshohocken, PA. Sessions will be held at the diocese’s location periodically or whenever needed.
The Clerical Council for Family Affairs- PA Local District has jurisdiction of first instance over family affair matters in the Diocese of PA and Its Affiliated Regions which fall under the direct jurisdiction of His Grace Bishop Karas. In case of any disagreement with the Local Council’s decisions, applicants may choose to appeal to the Clerical Council for Family Affairs – Americas District located at the Coptic Orthodox Archdiocese of North America in Cedar Grove, NJ. (www.ccffaa.org)
The Jurisdiction of the Clerical Council-PA Local District thus extends to cases of Copts who live in the Diocese’s territory, namely:
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- State of Delaware
- State of Maryland
- State of West Virginia
In order to administer the petitions of those seeking the Church’s blessing and permission for remarriage, the Clerical Council for Family Affairs-PA Local District has established this website with relevant contact and application information.
The Council seeks to apply the teachings of the Holy Bible and Church Law and to protect the rights and dignity of each person without discrimination and in full confidentiality and professionalism.