Coptic Christians in the UK have commenced three days of prayer for an end to violence in Egypt.
Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of The Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, announced the three days of prayer “for peace, reconciliation and an end to needless violence and loss of life in Egypt” on Tuesday.
In a statement, he said that “after witnessing millions of Egyptians across the whole nation and from all walks of life standing together to peacefully express their desire for a new Egypt, it is unfortunate that this unified effort is being undermined by needless violence and bloodshed”.
Officials have confirmed 51 people have died and 455 were injured when pro-Morsi supporters gathered outside the Republican Guard barracks in Cairo on Monday. A judicial committee of inquiry has been established to investigate the killings.
Meanwhile in a statement, UK-based Christian Solidarity Worldwide says “a steady increase in attacks on the Christian community has gone largely under-reported, taking place primarily but not exclusively in Upper Egypt”. It said the attacks followed accusations by several Islamist sources, including the Supreme Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood, that Christians were part of a “conspiracy” to remove Morsi”s regime.
Mervyn Thomas, chief executive of CSW, said the organisation extended condolences to families who had lost loved ones in the violence of the past few days in Egypt.
” It is important that those responsible for the violence at the Republican Guard barracks are held to account; equally, those who are perpetrating attacks against the Christian community must be apprehended and charged,” he said. “We stand in solidarity with Egyptians as they pray for their country at this critical time in their nation”s journey to full democracy.”
