Egypt’s Christians call for peace after attack on Orthodox cathedral

Last updated on: April 9, 2013 at 8:03 am by CNA Daily News

Egypt’s Christians call for peace after attack on Orthodox cathedral 2013-04-09T08:03:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Cairo, Egypt, Apr 9, 2013 / 02:03 am (CNA).- Christian leaders in Egypt appealed for calm after a mob attacked St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Cairo on Sunday during the funeral of four Coptic Christians killed in sectarian clashes.

At least two Christians died and over 80 were injured in the Sunday attacks, which marked the third day of sectarian violence, according to the Christian Post.

Pope Tawadros II, the Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church said the Egypt must “keep calm” to preserve security and national unity.

The Council of Churches in Egypt condemned the attack and called for “immediate action” from the government, Fides news agency reports.

Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi told Patriarch Tawadros by phone that he is committed to stopping the violence and that he considers “any attack against churches as a personal attack” against him.

On Friday a dispute in the town of Khusus near Cairo turned into a gunfight that killed four Christians and a Muslim.

After the Christians’ funeral Sunday, Christians left the cathedral and joined sympathetic Muslims to chanting slogans against President Mohammed Morsi. They called for his removal and the removal of his allies.

Violence broke out, though it is unclear how it started. Assailants were few at first, but their numbers grew to over 200 people.

They stationed themselves on the roofs of buildings surrounding the cathedral, attacking Christians and others with stones and petrol bombs until late in the evening, Fides News Agency reports.

Security forces and riot police appeared to have sided with the Muslim men who were attacking the Christians, the New York Times says.

Christians took up the defense of the cathedral and threw fire bombs and brick shards at the riot police, some of whom were injured.

Egypt’s Interior Ministry has charged that the mourners had started the attacks by vandalizing cars, which led to clashes and fights with others in the area.

Coptic Christians, who are descendants of Egypt’s pre-Muslim population, make up about 10 percent of the predominantly Muslim population of Egypt.

Middle East - Africa

Previous Post

April 9, 2013

Pope Francis finds high favor among Americans

Next Post

April 9, 2013 Heroic Korean War priest remembered by prison-mate

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who built two gold calves, leading Israel into idolatry after the split?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Jeroboam Rehoboam Solomon Josiah