Patriarch Asks Egyptian Christians to Pray and Persevere
(October 19, 2011) Egypt's Coptic Catholic Patriarch Antonios Naguib has encouraged
his flock to persevere in hardship and keep praying, after the violence and deaths
that plagued a recent Christian protest. "With wounded hearts, we join all the sincere
forces of our nation, responsible for the present and the future of our beloved country,
to express our deep sorrow for the bloody events, suffered by honest and sincere children
of the nation," the Eastern Catholic leader said in a statement on the October 9 riots.
"They wanted to contribute to the country's democratic process, with peaceful demonstrations,
like hundreds of other citizen groups," the patriarch recalled. "Unfortunately, it
ended with the violent death of around 25 people, the majority of whom were Copts,
and 329 injured." Patriarch Naguib recalled the advice of Saint Paul, who told the
persecuted Roman Church of the first century: "Never pay back evil with evil, but
bear in mind the ideals that all regard with respect. As much as possible, and to
the utmost of your ability, be in peace with everyone ... Do not be mastered by evil,
but master evil with good." He said the Egyptian Church was looking to this message
for direction, "at this time in which it is difficult to have a clear vision for the
present and the future." Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church, which follows similar traditions
but is not in communion with Rome, declared three days of fasting and mourning after
the violence, which was the worst seen in Egypt since former president Hosni Mubarak
left office. It began after an estimated 10,000 Coptic Christians marched to Cairo
demanding legal protection against violence and discrimination.