ICC Note:

President Sisi’s attendance at the newly built Cathedral of Christ’s Nativity should not obscure the contention that exists in Egypt about Christians’ ability to gather in places of worship. The Coptic Bishop of Minya, Bishop Anba Makarios, points to how the law enacted in 2016 did not simplify administrative procedures regarding church registration, but rather has exacerbated it. He says that that this law has actually legitimized the closure of even more churches. It is estimated that Christians only have access to 6000 churches in Egypt although they are the largest religious minority in the country.

01/09/2018 Egypt (La Croix International) –   On Jan. 6, the eve of the Coptic Christmas, the head of the Coptic Church, Pope Tawadros II, and the Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah al Sisi, inaugurated a newly built Coptic cathedral.

Amid cries of joy and of “We love you” from the worshippers, Al Sisi approached the altar side by side with Pope Tawadros II, to celebrate Christmas Mass held in accordance with the Eastern Orthodox tradition.

This celebration was particularly significant in that it was also the inaugural service at the Cathedral of Christ’s Nativity — a gift to the Coptic Church from the Egyptian government, constructed in the New Administrative Capital, 45 kilometers east of Cairo.

Security forces were in place around the enormous edifice, but were also deployed throughout the country to prevent attacks on churches.

“We love you, too. We are one family. You are part of this country and no one will drive a wedge between us,” Al Sisi said in response to the Coptic Christians cries at Mass.

Nonetheless, the issue of Coptic Christian churches remains a complicated one.

The Egyptian president has made an increasing number of goodwill gestures with regards to Coptic Christians who have recently felt marginalized. In certain regions, some churches are still closed due to the pressure exerted by Muslim extremists despite a 2016 law facilitating the construction, restoration and de-regularization of Coptic churches.

“In the upper echelons of the government, there is an evident willingness to integrate Coptic Christians into Egyptian society. But it will take time for attitudes to change,” said Anis Salama, a young Orthodox Copt.

Last month, a Coptic church in Giza, south of Cairo, was attacked by protesters objecting to the church’s lack of a permit. Since its construction 15 years ago, this church has never had a permit. There are numerous Coptic places of worship without permits in Egypt. These are tolerated by authorities — until they are denounced by protesters.

The Coptic Christian diocese in Giza has attempted, by virtue of the new law, to legalize its status but without success.

There is a lot of red tape involved, most probably due to fears of protests and attacks by Muslim extremists. In some regions, particularly in Upper Egypt, security forces are hard put to deal with the pressures and demands of families whose word is law in their villages.

Last October, four churches without permits were closed by police in the Minya region. Local Christian leaders protested in a communiqué that Coptic Christians are being victimized: “Those who threaten to commit criminal acts aren’t punished but Christians are, as the first option is to close their churches.”

Meanwhile, Coptic Bishop Anba Makarios of Minya has appealed to authorities. “If the churches are not allowed to re-open, it is not because they are unregistered; it’s because the law is failing and extremists are imposing their views.”

…

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org