A representative from the Coptic Orthodox Church has told Pope Francis’ Synod on the Family that homosexuality should be accepted as grounds to end a marriage.

Traditionally the Catholic Church has encouraged gay men and lesbians to try to enter into heterosexual married relationships and hope for change.

The Catholic Church does not allow its members to divorce within the church, and annulments on the grounds of sexual incompatibility are not guaranteed.

Representing the Coptic Church in Rome for the Synod is Metropolitan Bishoy of Damiette who told the Synod that its pastoral approach to people with same-sex attractions is to ‘explain in a tender, tolerant and convincing way that homosexuality is a great sin forbidden by God according to the Holy Scriptures.’

‘Consequently, [our] Church’s main pastoral mission is to encourage such people to repentance guiding them to lead a pure life. … If a married party is homosexual – forcing the other party into intercourses against the natural use – the church should not force the innocent party to continue in a sexual marital relation with him/her, because this damages the innocent party physically, physiologically and socially.’

Metropolitan Bishoy said there should be more understanding for people who have discovered their spouse was homosexual after they have married.

‘Our Church allows divorce in cases of adultery and in cases of what we call “legal adultery” which is anything that is counted as adultery like: homosexuality, intercourse against natural use, urging or compelling an innocent party into forbidden relations for materialistic gain or sexual exchange,’ Metropolitan Bishoy said.

The Coptic Church is one of a number of Eastern Orthodox Churches that split from the Catholic Church in its early history and look to their own popes or patriarchs for spiritual authority – though they still recognize the Catholic Pope as the earthly leader closest to God in his capacity as Bishop of Rome.

The Synod on the Family is hearing from a range of ‘fraternal delegates’ representing other Christian denominations during its deliberations and is expected to produce a revised document for the Catholic Church on its approach to issues of marriage, family and human sexuality.

The Coptic Church is the largest Christian denomination in the Middle East and has its spiritual headquarters in the Egyptian city of Alexandria.