During my visit to Ireland for the Eucharistic Congress my blog will consist of some instances of attacks on our religious liberty both here and abroad as recorded by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. Amid the current turmoil in Egypt in might be well to see how Egypt’s ancient Christian community is faring. My earlier blogs on attacks on our religious freedom have been historical. This blog and the previous one are not history, they are current events.
THE SITUATION OF CHRISTIANS IN EGYPT
Early in January 2012, at the Midnight Mass to celebrate the birth of Christ, the Coptic Catholic church in Luxor, Egypt was surrounded by Muslims. But these Muslims were not there to attack the worshippers, but rather to protect them. Muslims formed a cordon of security around the church. Some even took part in the service to visibly demonstrate their solidarity with Christians.
Bishop Johannes Zakaria, the Coptic Catholic Bishop of Luxor, was moved to say, “I was able to witness in person how ordinary Muslims — just normal people who live around us — embraced our community. … These brethren of ours have rejected violence; have asserted that terrorism is not true Islam.”
This expression of support was much appreciated. Unfortunately, however, Christians in Egypt frequently face discrimination, attacks, bombings and killings, often at the hands of extremists intent on taking advantage of current political instability to promote an agenda of intolerance.
Coptic Christians make up about in 10% of Egypt’s population. The vast majority are Coptic Orthodox, while Coptic Catholics number about 250,000. Under President Hosni Mubarak, Christians needed special permission to build or repair their churches. They experienced employment discrimination, particularly in high-level positions in government and the military. Violent attacks against Christian communities and Christian-owned businesses have resulted in death and destruction, and usually go unpunished.
With both Christians and Muslims joining together in Tahrir Square to help bring down the Mubarak government, many Christians thought life would get better for them, that they would have a chance to participate more equally in Egyptian society. Instead, things have gotten worse.
Churches in Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and other parts of the country have been bombed, and the level of violence directed against Christians has increased. For example, in October 2011, a peaceful group of Christians that gathered to protest a lack of police response to attacks on two churches in southern Egypt, attacks that left 12 dead and over 200 injured, was met by Army tanks and guns that killed at least 17 more Christians.
The presidential runoff election in Egypt last weekend has Christians wondering if the new government will protect the human rights of all, including religious minorities. Will a new President institute an interpretation of Islamic law that will make life even more difficult?
According to the Egyptian Union of Human Rights Organization, at least 100,000 Christians have fled Egypt since March 2011, with some 42,000 coming to the United States; some to the Diocese of Dallas. These Christians have voted with their feet, but most Christians remain in Egypt hoping and working for a better future for all Egyptians
This post is also available in/Esta entrada también está disponible en: Spanish