English is a pastoral language of mission and formation. It helps the inherited Coptic worship become intelligible without replacing the faith, mysteries, priesthood, prayers, or rite that the Church has received.
Understanding belongs to worship
We hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.
The Church does not choose between reverence and understanding. Scripture, litanies, readings, and teaching should reach the faithful who are standing in the nave. When English is used well, it opens the inherited worship rather than flattening it.
This is especially important for readings and teaching. The Liturgy of the Word forms the faithful through the Pauline Epistle, Catholic Epistle, Praxis, Synaxarium, Psalm, Gospel, and homily. The people should be able to hear the Word of God and receive the meaning of the Church’s prayer.
English and inherited language together
A healthy parish teaches the old language and also speaks to the people present now. That may mean English readings, English explanations, bilingual hymn texts, projected responses, parish classes, or clear deaconal leadership.
The aim is shared prayer. English helps the local parish understand, while Coptic, Arabic, and Greek keep the parish connected to the concrete history through which the Church received and preserved her worship.