Series of fires in Egyptian churches “not a coincidence”, say Copts
World Watch Monitor Three Coptic churches in the Upper Egypt region were hit by fires in the last three weeks which, the Copts say, is “not a coincidence”. On Friday morning, 1st November, a fire started in an adjacent hall of the Mar-Girgis (St George) al-Gyoushi Church in the Shubra district of the capital Cairo; it was […]
Hopeful signs for change in Sudan meet with cautious pessimism
Juba, South SudanMorning Star News The appointment of a Christian woman to the council overseeing transition to civilian rule in Sudan is a hopeful sign, but some persecution-weary Christians are less than optimistic about prospects for improved religious rights. Raja Nicola Eissa Abdel-Masih, a Coptic Christian who long served as a judge in Sudan’s Ministry of […]
Biggest Christian cathedral in Middle East opens in Egypt
The biggest Christian cathedral in the Middle East was inaugurated in Egypt on Sunday. The newly constructed Coptic cathedral, the Cathedral of the Nativity, was formally opened by Egypt’s President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi on Sunday, the eve of Coptic Christmas. The President later reportedly attended a midnight Mass which was presided over by Coptic Pope […]
EGYPT: COPTIC CHRISTIANS CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS, PONDER CHANGING DATE
MINA NADER and JACOB WIRTSCHAFER, of Religion News Service, report…
Egypt’s PM approves 168 new church and worship buildings – CSW
Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has approved the legalisation of 168 churches and worship buildings, religious freedom advocacy CSW has reported. The UK organisation said the decision was made during a meeting of the ministerial committee overseeing issues relating to building and renovating churches and worship buildings. Some 126 of the buildings belong to the Coptic Orthodox […]
COPTIC CHURCH: ANGER ERUPTS IN EGYPT AFTER MASSACRE OF CHRISTIAN PILGRIMS
JACOB WIRTSCHAFTER and MINA NADER report for Religion News Service…
Egypt says it’s killed 19 militants following Friday’s attack on Coptic Christians
The Egyptian Government said police have killed 19 Islamist militants accused of Friday’s attack on Coptic Christians in a shoot-out. In a statement, the Interior Ministry was reported as saying that police had pursued the “fugitive terrorist elements” into a desert area west of the Minya province and exchanged fire, killing 19. The news came […]
At least seven dead as Coptic pilgrims targeted in another bus attack in Egypt
At least seven people have been killed and 14 more been injured in another attack on a bus of Coptic Christians travelling back from a monastery in Egypt on Friday. The victims were on their way home after visiting the St Samuel the Confessor monastery in the governorate of Minya in Upper Egypt – reportedly […]
EGYPT: CHRISTIANS KEY TO SUPPORT FOR EL-SISSI IN UPCOMING ELECTION
JACOB WIRTSCHAFFER and MINA NADER, of Religion News Service, report…
Australian Copts call for Christian asylum seekers not to be deported back to Egypt
Australian Copts are appealing for a group of 10 Melbourne-based Christian asylum seekers not to be deported back to Egypt where they fear their lives could be in danger. The 10 include a couple aged in their 70s who say they have no one to look after them in Egypt, a journalist and political activist […]