Nuncio to Egypt, New Year’s attack proves religious freedom is key to peace

“Here in Egypt the year has started badly with this attack on the Coptic Orthodox Church in Alexandria”, says Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, Apostolic Nuncio to Egypt, speaking from Cairo to Vatican Radio.

A powerful bomb exploded in front of a crowded Coptic Christian church in the Egyptian city of Alexandria a half hour into the New Year early Saturday, targeting the faithful as they emerged from Mass. The death toll, for now, stands at 21 people dead with dozens wounded.

Nearly 1,000 Christians were attending the New Year's Mass at the Saints Church. The attack came in the wake of repeated threats by al-Qaida militants in Iraq to attack Egypt's Christians. Police initially said the blast came from an explosives-packed car parked outside the Saints Church in the Mediterranean port city. But the Interior Ministry later said it was more likely from a suicide bomber who blew himself up among the crowd.

“On behalf of all the Christians in this country and particularly on behalf of the Catholics I would like to express our deep sympathy with the Coptic Orthodox community for the loss of lives and the people who have been wounded”, says Archbishop Fitzgerald. “We condemn this attack, particularly on this first day of the year when the Holy Father has asked us to pray for peace. His message this year is that religious liberty is a condition for peace. We see that this is so, because if communities are not able to celebrate in peaceful circumstances with all tranquillity then there will be no tranquillity within society”.


“We Catholics and other Christians, who celebrate Christmas on the 25^th of December were able to do so quite peacefully, without any danger. Now we see that on this first day of the year the Orthodox community has been targeted and they are preparing to celebrate their Christmas on the 7^th of January”. He concluded; “We can understand their worries and concern about the safety of their Churches. Security has been increased but it is very difficult to stop all attacks”. Listen to the full report and interview: