Heads of Catholic Churches pay tribute to General al-Sisi
Cairo, January 30, 2014: After messages of support from the Coptic Orthodox Church
to General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, similar gestures of appreciation towards the strong
man of the Egyptian army - and likely future candidate for the next presidential election
– came from two Heads of the Catholic Churches in Egypt.
On Monday, January
27 The Supreme Council of the Egyptian armed forces promoted General al-Sisi from
the rank of Colonel General to that of Field Marshal. A move interpreted by analysts
as a green light to the presidential candidacy of the General, who currently also
holds the positions of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. According to
Egyptian sources consulted by Fides Agency, both the Patriarch of Alexandria of the
Catholic Copts Ibrahim Isaac Sidrak and the Eparch of Alexandria of the Armenian Catholics
Kricor Okosdinos Coussa sent messages of congratulations to General al-Sisi. Patriarch
Sidrak, in his message, invoked God's blessing on the "great responsibility" that
waits the possible future President of Egypt. Bishop Coussa stressed that the promotion
is a well-deserved recognition for the dedication shown by al-Sisi in his service
to the Country, so that the Egyptian people will soon enjoy "the return of peace and
security".
Meanwhile, on the afternoon of Tuesday, January 28th, a terrorist
attack against a Coptic church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, in the western suburbs
of Cairo, caused the death of a member of the security forces. In the evening, police
sources gave news of the arrest of two terrorists responsible for the attack. (Source:
Agenzia Fides)