(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has renewed his call for peace and reconciliation in
Egypt. In a statement, the vice-director of the Vatican Press Office, Father Ciro
Benedettini, CP, said the Holy Father “continues to follow with growing concern the
serious news coming from Egypt and continues to pray for end to violence, and that
the parties choose the path of dialogue and reconciliation.”
Earlier in the
week, during the Angelus prayer on the Feast of the Assumption (Aug. 15), Pope Francis
had launched an urgent appeal for peace in Egypt, assuring “the victims, their families,
the wounded and those who suffer” of his prayers.
Meanwhile, the Coptic Orthodox
Church in Egypt, headed by Pope Tawadros II, has issued a press release concerning
the recent events in their country.
Below, please find the full text
of the press release, translated by the Office Of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II:
The
Coptic orthodox church of Egypt is following closely the unfortunate incidences occurring
in our nation Egypt and confirms its strong stance with the Egyptian law enforcement,
the armed forces, and all of the institutions of the Egyptian people in its confrontation
of the violent armed organizations, dark terrorists, both internal and external, the
attacks on the government offices as well as our peaceful churches which are terrorizing
our citizens both Coptic and Muslim.
These actions stand against all religions,
morality, and humanity. We commend the stance of the friendly and loyal countries
who understand the nature of these turns of events and we strongly denounce the erroneous
reporting that is being broadcasted in the western media. We invite them to review
the actual events subjectively instead of legitimizing these bloody terrorist organizations
and all its affiliations with international support and political protection while
they are attempting to spread devastation and destruction in our dear nation. We only
request that the international and western media please report an valid account of
the events with accuracy, truth, and honesty.
We send our condolences for all
the victims and martyrs of duty that gave their lives, and we pray for the recovery
of all the injured and afflicted. We persevere in our strong national unity and repulse
any attempts to polarize our nation into a secular conflict. We absolutely reject
any complete or even partial foreign interference in the internal national affairs
of Egypt and as the hands of evil are extended to burn, kill and destroy; but the
hands of God are nearer to protect, strengthen, and build. We have full confidence
in the divine intervention that will navigate the Egyptian people in the delicate
time of our history to a better tomorrow and a brighter future that will be filled
with justice, peace, and democracy that the people of the Nile Valley deserve.