Egypt: Militant Muslim Mob Burns Christian Homes, Businesses and Coptic Church
We have regularly covered the plight of our Coptic Orthodox Christian brethren in Egypt and will continue to do so
The persecution of Coptic Christians escalates. If this is an indication of the attitude of the government of Egypt, the so called "Arab Spring" is a fraud. Authentic freedom recognizes the fundamental human rights of others, including religious freedom.
Coptic Orthodox Christian woman in prayer
PrintCAIRO, Egypt (Catholic Online) - The history of Christianity in Egypt goes as far back as the visit of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. (Matt. 2) To the Christians who live in this historic land, the history of the Christian Church is the history of Egypt. According to Christian Tradition, the Evangelist Mark brought the Gospel to Egypt in 61 A.D. and it has a proud and inspiring Christian heritage.
The majority of Christians in Egypt are Coptic Orthodox. The very word "Copt" comes from an early Greek name for Egypt. After all, Christianity and Egypt have a long and holy history. Perhaps that is part of the reason why the persistent persecution of Christians in Egypt is so appalling. It strikes at the very foundations of the Christian Church.
We have regularly covered the plight of our Coptic Orthodox Christian brethren in Egypt and will continue to do so. They are heroic witnesses in the ancient land into which the Holy family journeyed, a land which is vitally important to all Christians. Their suffering to the point of shedding their blood for the ancient faith should draw every Christian to their knees. It also demands a response of support and solidarity from those of us who can help.
We have also repeatedly urged our global readership to pray for Coptic Orthodox Christians and for Catholic Christians in Egypt in this critical hour. The presence of Coptic Christians in this ancient and holy land is vital. Their presence precedes any Muslim claims. Their heroic Christian witness is an inspiration. They are our brethren, joined to us in the bonds of Baptismal communion.
Now, there is distressing news out of this land of the Holy Family. Over 3,000 militant Muslims, identified with the Salafi movement which seeks to enforce a strict construction of Shariah law, have gone on a rampage burning homes and businesses owned by Christians. Even worse that than these acts of terror, this mob of militant Muslims set fire to Mar Gerges Coptic Orthodox Church.
Witnesses told Compass news that the attacks began after the Muslims offered their afternoon prayers. Michael Ramzy, a villager in Elmarenab, told a local news source that "Imams in more than 20 mosques called for crowds to gather and destroy the church and demolish the houses of the Copts and loot their properties."
This is the third Church in seven months which has been destroyed by mobs of militant Muslims. It is reported that Salafi Muslims were enraged that any symbols of the Christian faith could be seen on the outside of the Church. After a September 2 meeting with the leaders of the military and the village, Coptic clergy agreed to modify the outside so that visible crosses, bells and Christian symbols would not be as visible.
That effort to bring peace did not placate the Muslim terrorists. They blockaded the entrance to the Church and began to threaten the Christians in their home. Next, they demanded that the domes, so integral to Orthodox Church architecture, also be removed. Further meetings were held with the priests in an effort to reconcile with the Muslims and build bridges of peace which would allow the Christians to worship freely. The Muslims then burnt the Church.
We urge our global readership to pray for Coptic Orthodox Christians and for Catholic Christians in Egypt in this critical hour. We must join the growing global pressure on the new government in Egypt in the wake of all of the continuing persecution of Christians in Egypt. If this treatment of Christians is an indication of the attitude of the government of Egypt, the so called "Arab Spring" is a fraud. Authentic freedom recognizes the fundamental human rights of others.
The presence of Coptic Christians in this ancient and holy land is vital for many reasons. Their presence also precedes any Muslim claim. The heroic Christian witness of these Copts is an inspiration to us all. We must join with them in solidarity, pray for them regularly and join in their heroic struggle to protect their fundamental human right to Religious freedom.
- - -
Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.
Keywords: Coptic, Orthodox, Egypt, Salafi, Jihadi, militant, Muslim, persecution, Deacon Keith Fournier
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Jorge I am with you, Catholics need to come off the fence, quit the navel gazing and speak out about the wrongs being done to Christians. Why is there such silence from the church about the poor pastor in Iran due to be hanged unless he renounces his Christianity or the lady in Pakistan? But apparently cardinals have spoken out about Italy's seedy president. I think that says it all.
the time is NOW Jeancatherine..just look to what waiting for dubious "divine"prophecies to be fiullfilled is causing to our people??! WE ARE BEING SLAUGTERED AND NO ONE MOVES A FINGER TO STOP IT, even less GOD. Take the sword and STOP it!it's that simple. The time is NOW! our children demad it..its for them, its for everytuing we hold precious and sacred! Be brave!! WHY SHould GOD intervene when its our fault we are beeing slaugtered, by allowing the muslim bully to keep abusing us withoput a proper VIOLENT lesson/answer. I love to bloodshed..but muslims DO LOVE VIOLENCE so give it to them and they will submit and bend their knees like the cowards they all are!
Jorge
Why are you so in a hurry for bloodshed before its necessary? Yes, I see what is happening but we cant do anything about it until its again in our laps. It will probably cross over into Europe again. Look up the prophesies regarding the French Monarchy and from Saints in Yves Dupont's book Catholic Prophesises: The Coming Chastisement and go here for some of his commentary from the 1970's http://thepopeinred.com/antichrist.htm. Im not in a hurry yet for a WWIII even though I may have to accept something like this someday in the not too distant future. Have you lived with veterans I have and its not always a great experience. You have to deal with the spectres of war with them. Alcholism etc. I loved my Father but it wasnt a bed of roses as life isnt. I believe in fighting for the right cause and just war theory but Im not in a hurry for bloodshed at a price until its a necessary cause. It isnt just yet.
jeanCatherine..I have read "revelation" but I don't think that reading any part of the bible will save our necks from the islamic slashing sword.I prefer to take the sword as Jesus wiped the thieves ans vicious traders away from the temple. Aren't muslims thieves themselves of the worst kind? Don't they claim that they one only they are the true relgion -denying ALL the most important christian tenets(Divine nature of Jesus, trinity, 10 comandments...)and that any one who opposes their dark supremacist imperialist agenda should be KILLED? Of course they do. expecting divine intervation when all we have to do is to take on our swords and give them a final lesson is a clear contradiction. Against facts, ther are no arguments and that is what muslims believe-FORCE can bend their knees, not just our prayers.
Jorge
I let God decide in Salvation History when its time and He will let us know when its time and by the way have you ever read Revelation?
Read it sometime.
So Jeancatherine, we came to an agreement..islam cannot be defeated just by praying. we must take the sword also to finish it once and for all. I just think the time is now, not later..why postpone the inevitable right? As we speak our christian people are being killed, raped, kidnapped, terrorised, discriminated, abused and oppressed in any way by "moderate" and "radical" muslims alike, ...this is ALREADY a war! Lets face it for what it is, don't you agree?
I pray for peace in the hearts of all in Egypt and around the world. I pray that Light may push out Darkness in the hearts of those that do harm against their fellow man. I pray that the vast numbers of people that are not even aware of events like this in the world become awakened from their walking slumber. Amen.
Lilian and Jorge
Im being very cautious unless you havent heard a word I said. Im well aware of the private prophesies in the church regarding warfare in the past and future with the Muslims and you seem to think that I dont agree that we will fight Islam someday. Im very sure we will but Im being cautious as I said about it because we dont know under what circumstances. By the way we wont know whose going to hell until we stand before Christ Ok. Im well aware of history as well but I dont jump into a fight until I know what strategy to take. That is being a wise solider and we are soldiers make no mistake about that. Im well aware of the good intentions paved to hell as well but I hope that the Lord shows many if not all of us mercy on Judgment day because it will come as Im sure.
JeanCatherine,
I'm not sure of the part of Europe you come from, but I'm sure that part of Europe was not delivered from forced Islamization by loving and dialoguing with Moslems. I know that Europe fought against Islam to remain Christian. If Christians do not respond to Islam the way the religion understands, then Christians are in grave danger. All of North Africa was Christian before they were forced into Islam, and now the descendants of the conquered are killing the remnants of the descendants of the courageous Christians who resisted the evil and greed of Mohammad. The Copts certainly need the support of other Christians otherwise, they will be wiped out.
Alecto..that is a reasonable and rational thought indeed!Islam MUST be destroyed at all cost..and I beleive the only SUCESSFUL way to defeat and end this cancer is FORCE...the ONLY solution.St francis is a SAINT JeanCATHERINE..he was brave enought to go fight ideologically the muslims inside their borders but see what sucess he had?!..NOTHING. the only thing he achieved was to resist islamisation and to save his own life. Jeancatherine, you are well intentioned but remember that HELL is full of well-intentoioned people.THE ONLY RIGHTEOUS ANSWER IS THE CRUSADE.there is nothing muslims will ever conced to.We could have finished them all if we weren't greedy , stupid an foolish enought to lose time and effort to earthly things, but now it's the time to prepare mfor what is already a reality-WE ARE AT WAR WITH ISLAM.We didn't caused this war and conflitct-ISLAM DID! THE !JUST WAR is a very valid catholic doctrine that fits islam perfectly.we cannot allow our people, our children, our priests and chruches to be raped, abused, murdered, enslaved and butchered for following Christ.Didn't CHRIST himself wiped the traders away from the temple? Of course he did and he was and IS right!without the crusaders,FORCE, THERE WOULB NEVER HAVE EXISTED ANY CATHOLIC SAINTS,PEACEFUL CHRISTIANS,...there would never have been a Saint Francis of Assisi!