AFRICA/EGYPT - Concerns voiced by Cardinal Stephanos II Ghattas, Patriarch of Alexandria of Copt Catholics

Friday, 2 April 2004

Cairo (Fides Service) - Cardinal Stephanos II Ghattas, Patriarch of Alexandria of Copt Catholics has denounced discrimination against Christian churches in Egypt in an article published by the “The Southern Cross” weekly issued by the South African Bishops’ Conference.
The Cardinal said that on the whole Christian and Muslim leaders have relations of mutual respect. He said that these two religions and their followers recognise that Christianity and Islam are both based on prayer, assisting the poor and other charitable works. The Cardinal said that in Egypt the Copt Catholic community runs 170 schools where most of the pupils are Muslims and this helps build friendly relations and collaboration between Muslims and Christians.
Despite all this, the Cardinal said, Muslim fundamentalism intervenes to limit the presence of Egyptian Christians in the country’s social and political, to give one example: requests to build new churches are subject to so many restrictions that they make it impossible.
Cardinal Stephanos II Ghattas, Patriarch of Alexandria of Copt Catholics said Christians also have difficulty in finding jobs and homes. This discrimination pushes many Christians to emigrate. But the Cardinal concludes “despite this social political context and restrictions by the law, Egyptian Christians are perfectly aware of the situation and they are convinced in the truth of their faith; their sacramental life shines with dynamism and vocations are flourishing” (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 1/4/2004, righe 25 parole 273)


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