Europe's bishops call continent to defend Egypt minorities

(October 14, 2011) Europe’s Catholic bishops have added their voice to Pope Benedict XVI’s appeal for the Christians of Egypt, calling on the European governments to take a stance in defence of minorities. Cardinal Péter Erdő, president of the Council of the Bishops' Conferences of Europe (CCEE), released a statement reiterating the European bishops’ "closeness to all citizens in Egypt, and especially to our brothers in the Coptic Christian community, affected in these days by the murderous violence against peace, harmony between religions, freedom and human dignity." The statement followed the bloody weekend clash between Egypt’s military and police and a group of mostly Coptic Christians protesting government inaction against the burning of a Christian church. The clash left 26 dead, mostly Christians. Pope Benedict on Wednesday expressed his concern over the situation, urging that human rights of all, particularly of minorities, by respected for the benefit of national peace. Copts and other Christians make up 10% of Egypt's population. The European bishops urged their respective governments to "take a stance in defence of all those who, as Christians, are subjected to attacks because of their religious, ethnic or social belonging." "We pray to the Lord for all Christians in Egypt, that he may give them the strength to continue to be authentic witnesses of Christ and of fraternity with all people, without which there will not be a better future for individual nations or humanity," the CCEE statement concluded.