AFRICA: EGYPT: POPE ENCOURAGES SORROWING

Agenzia Fides REPORT - "The last words spoken by the Holy Father yesterday, encourage us and we will reread them during World Mission Day" says Fr. Nabil Fayez Antoun to Fides, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) of Egypt, expressing his gratitude for Pope Benedict XVI’s intervention, who at the end of the general audience in St. Peter's Square expressed his concern for the suppression of the Copts’ demonstration, which caused dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries (see Fides 10 and 11 October 2011). "I am deeply saddened by the episodes of violence that were committed in Cairo on Sunday. I join in the sorrow of the victims' families and the entire Egyptian people, torn by the attempts to undermine the peaceful coexistence between its communities, which is important to preserve, especially in this time of transition", said Benedict XVI.
"Unfortunately, the Holy Father's words were reported by the Egyptian media without comment and without in-depth examination", says don Nabil. "However - adds the priest - in newspapers and Egyptian television stations, criticism and controversy for the massacre of the Copts is very high, and requests are made to clarify the role played by the military. As Catholics we participated in the 3 days of fasting and prayer promoted by the Coptic Orthodox Church to honor the victims. Tomorrow night we will have a prayer vigil to express our union with the Coptic Church in this time of sorrow", concluded the National Director of the PMS in Egypt. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 13/10/2011)

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