Statement of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III on the Egyptian Revolution

On 15 February 2011 Pope Shenouda met with a small committee of the Holy Synod that released the following statement:

The Coptic Church praises Egypt’s honest youth, the Youth of 25 January who led Egypt in a resilient white revolution and sacrificed precious blood, the blood of the nation’s martyrs who were hailed by Egypt’s leadership, army and people. We too offer condolences to their parents and members of their families.

The Coptic Church praises Egypt’s brave Army and the High Council of the Armed Forces for their statements aimed at protecting Egypt both domestically and internationally. We support its position in dissolving parliament and the Shura council and in seeking to restore order.

We believe that Egypt should be a democratic civil country that selects its parliament through free and fair elections that represent all classes of the population.

We support all Egypt in fighting poverty, corruption and unemployment and in resisting anarchy and vandalism. We support the establishment of security, safety and the principles of social justice and national unity and the prosecution of all those who have broken the law.

The Coptic Church prays for our great Egyptian nation, with its long history and civilisation. We ask the Lord to keep it safe and to extend peace, safety, stability and prosperity.

Pope Shenouda III
Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark
and Head of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church

Comments

  • This statement was fully agreed upon, content and spirit, by the representatives of all the different churches in Egypt.

    There are currently many trying hard to stir hate against Christians, especially HH and the COC. They include extremists still in many posts, the MB and unfortunately some Copts who failed to understand that the Church is not a political institution but a solid Christian one. Watch the recent interview of HH the Pope that was made by Heg. Fr Daoud Lamey to get the picture right.

    These people are inciting the CO youth to make demonstrations against HH. They will soon find out "others" were waiting to join them to spread havoc. These have wicked plans and will incite demands for the 'resignation' of HH and many bishops. The reason for these moves: the MB are bitterly losing much ground among the people so some of their extremist wings are still fighting the Church here and there to revive hatred and provoke incidents with the army, most people are now aware of this. Extremist sites, their newspapers and journalists are working together with this plan in mind. That is why HH has warned the youth not to participate in just any or every demonstration and to be peaceful and wiser. Please send his good advice to others.

    Only non Christians extremists think HH is corrupt or is someone to be treated similarly to the corrupt ministers of the former government, and therefore would not respect his spiritual status or assimilate that he was chosen by God on the Altar.

    As we expect they will try to make their move when HH is in Cleveland this week for a scheduled medical check up. I am sorry to say that Copts who are curently encouraging this wrong attitude and behavior, whether in Egypt or from abroad are therefore knowingly fighting and hurting the Church and its Clergy.

    Also remember that this is a transitional period, there are many corrupt leaders still active in their posts, you cannot sweep clean many years of corruption in a matter of few weeks, but the Lord is watchful.

    May the Lord protect the Church and HH Pope Shenouda III and abort the evil plans against us.

    GBU
  • May we all pray for the Church and for His Holiness every day.
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