Matthew the Poor: Towards Modern Birth Control Methods in the Coptic Orthodox Church

Jaroslav Franc

Palacky University Olomouc

Abstract

The paper is focused on the Matta el-Meskeen (Matthew the Poor) and his reflection of selected bioethical issue: birth control. The paper deals with the forming stages of the bioethical discussions within the Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt. The research is based on Matthew the Poor´s articles and books. The first part presents his teachings about theosis as an key concept of his theology in general and bioethics in particular. The second part brings analysis of his birth control reflections and presents his observations about the role of the Church and the state in the decision making process of Christian believers.

Keywords:

Matta el-Meskeen, Matthew the Poor, bioethics, theology, the Coptic Orthodox Church, state, Egypt, deification, birth control