Pope Benedict an example for Catholics and Orthodox in Egypt

( Feb. 20, 2013) Pope Benedict XVI's resignation has been welcomed with positive and constructive reactions among the Catholic Church in Egypt with its seven different rites. Many people consider this decision uncommon and without precedent in the Eastern Church traditions but all expressed respect and consideration.
Cardinal Antonios Naguib, Patriarch-Emeritus of the Coptic Catholic Church stressed upon the fact that ''the Pope took the proper decision at the proper moment''. The Latin rite Bishop for Egypt, Msgr. Adel Zaki, former head of the Franciscan Order in Egypt, said ''We reacted first with amazement and surprise but we soon realized that this man has always been distinguished by his courageous and modest decisions, as much as his clear vision and deep sense of responsibility. At the moment when everybody is struggling for power, this going against the trend, is giving us a model we ought to follow.
Bishop Kyrillos William of the Coptic Catholic diocese of Assiut in Upper Egypt stated: ''The Pope revealed a huge amount of modesty and courage and took a daring and unprecedented decision at a good moment''. Bishop Youhanna Golta, Patriarcal Vicar for the Coptic Catholics said : ''The Pope is giving an example of real sanctity to the whole Church. He is proving how deep his spirituality is and his profound belief that the Churches' continuity is based first of all on Christ.” Bishop Antonios Aziz from Coptic Catholic diocese of Southern Cairo asked the Almighty to ''grant us a Shepherd as good and courageous as Pope Benedict''.
Fr. Henri Boulad, an eminent and well known Jesuit priest presented his ''deep recognition and thanks to Pope Benedict for his courage, s modesty, simplicity and sense of responsibility''. Fr. Rafic Greiche, official spokesman for the Catholic Church in Egypt, and representative of the Melchite Church said “History will remember him as the Pope who convoked two specific Synods for the two areas of Middle East and Africa, with all the challenges they encounter, specially after the Arab Spring movements and the precarious economic situation on the black continent. He will also be recalled as the Pope who constantly urged Europe to recognize its Christian roots as well as abandon consumerism'.'