The plight of Christians in Egypt this Christmas

Islamist parties have consolidated earlier gains in Egypt's multistage parliamentary elections, winning nearly 70 percent of the seats determined so far, according to results announced today. Election commission chief Abdel-Moez Ibrahim announced results from the second round of three rounds, which was held Dec. 14-15, followed by a run-off this week.

The second round was held in nine provinces, and Ibrahim said turnout reached 65 percent.

Based on the results he gave, the Muslim Brotherhood says it won around 86 of estimated 180 seats up for grabs in the round, or 47 percent.

The secular and liberal forces that largely drove Egypt's uprising against former leader Hosni Mubarak were trounced, failing to turn their achievement into a victory at the polls.

But despite the euphoria of the toppling of President Hosni Mubarak the situation for Christians living in Egypt has not improved.

Fr. Rafic Greiche is Chief press spokesman for the Catholic Church in Cairo.

He told Lydia O’Kane that it “will be a sad Christmas” for Christians and that due to security concerns the traditional Midnight Mass in his parish will have to be held earlier in the day. Listen