AFRICA/EGYPT - The Christian churches participate in the national dialogue

Cairo (Agenzia Fides) - There were also representatives of three Christian churches at the fourth session of the Egyptian national dialogue chaired by the Deputy President Mahmoud Mekky, which took place on 18 December.
On behalf of the Catholic Church there was present Fr. Rafic Greiche, director of communications for the Catholic Bishops of Egypt. There was a representative of the Orthodox Church and one of the Evangelical church.
The third session of the national dialogue concerned the appointment of 90 members of the Shura, the Upper House, after the office of the President had asked the political parties and churches to propose their candidates.
A month ago, the three churches had withdrawn their participation in the Constituent Assembly (see Fides 16/11/2012). The leaders of the Christian Churches in Egypt, however, opposed the boycott of the referendum on the new Constitution, which takes place in two rounds, on 15 and 22 December (see Fides 14/12/2012), while expressing concerns about some parts of the Constitution text (see Fides 12/12/2012). (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 20/12/2012)