Death toll rises after clashes in Cairo

(Vatican Radio) Egypt’s health ministry says the death toll in sectarian clashes in Cairo has risen to two. Eighty-nine people were injured. The clashes took place outside the St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Cairo on Sunday following a funeral service for four Christians killed in sectarian violence during the week.

A Health Ministry official said Monday that the identity of the second fatality was not immediately known.

The first fatality was Christian.

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi condemned the violence at the Cathedral.

The Director of the Press Office for the Catholic Church in Egypt, Fr. Rafic Greiche says sectarian violence has continued to escalate.

“After the Muslim Brotherhood took over last June, these sectarian problems are accelerating as if it became something of everyday life; everyday we have a problem, this (violence) yesterday was the peak”.

Speaking to Vatican Radio Fr Rafic also said that there is a deep sense of sadness among the Christian community in Egypt following these recent events. Listen to Lydia O’Kane’s interview with Fr. Rafic Greiche