Pope Francis called for dialogue between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan on Saturday, urging them not to let a dispute over a dam on the Nile lead to conflict. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which is being built some 15 km (9 miles) from Ethiopia’s border with Sudan, has become a major source of discord between Read more
Posts Tagged ‘Egypt’
Over 3,000 Egyptian churches’ wait for legal recognition
Thursday, November 8th, 2018More than 3,000 Egyptian churches and church-affiliated buildings are still waiting for legal recognition from the Egyptian government. They have been waiting for nearly two years after legislation, seen by some as positive step for religious freedom in the Muslim-majority country, was passed. Read more
Mosque attack condemned, prayers offered
Monday, November 27th, 2017
Pope Francis says he is “profoundly grieved to learn of the great loss of life caused by the terrorist attacks on the Rawda mosque in north Sinai.” His distress was echoed by international religious and political leaders. They included the Archbishop of Canterbury, President Donald Trump, the Turkish Foreign Ministry and French President Emmanuel Macron. Read more
Murder of Coptic Christians barbaric
Monday, May 29th, 2017
An attack by masked gunmen on a busload of Coptic Christians traveling to visit monastery south of Cairo has drawn widespread condemnation and disgust. ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack which “riddled the bus” with machine gun fire. Twenty eight people including children died in the attack. Another 22 were injured. At least one Read more
Islamic State attacks on Christians will escalate
Monday, May 8th, 2017
An anonymous Islamic State (IS) spokesperson is warning Muslims in Egypt to stay away from Christian gatherings and Western embassies because of probable IS attacks. He said the attacks are part of the “war on infidels” IS is fighting. He also claimed his group was responsible for the suicide bombings that struck two Coptic Christian Read more
Pope Francis reflects on his Apostolic Voyage to Egypt
Thursday, May 4th, 2017Pope Francis reflected on last weekend’s Apostolic Voyage to Egypt during this week’s General Audience. In it he recalled the various stages of his packed schedule, which included “dialogue between Christians and Muslims”, the role of Christians in Egypt and meetings with many priests and religious. Read more .
Condemn violence masquerading as sanctity says Pope
Monday, May 1st, 2017Pope Francis called on global religious leaders to condemn violence masquerading as sanctity at a peace conference in Egypt on Friday. He asked them to condemn violent extremism and “unmask violence that masquerades as purported sanctity.” Read more
Pope flying to Egypt to strengthen interreligious dialogue
Thursday, April 27th, 2017Pope Francis is flying to Egypt today. During his two-day visit he will celebrate Mass, participate in a peace conference, meet with the Orthodox Coptic Patriarch, Tawadros II and promote and deepen interreligious dialogue. Egypt is a predominantly Muslim nation. Read more
Pope Francis will definitely visit Egypt
Monday, March 20th, 2017Pope Francis will definitely visit Egypt next month. The Vatican has confirmed Francis will visit Egypt on 28 and 29 April. He will visit to the Al-Azhar university and mosque in Cairo, widely considered the most significant center of learning in the Sunni Muslim world. Read more
A Papal trip to Egypt is under consideration
Monday, March 13th, 2017A Papal trip to Egypt is under consideration. Although Italy’s state-run RAI reported Pope Francis would visit Cairo’s Al-Azhar, the leading center of learning of Sunni Islam, on May 20-21, this has not been confirmed by the Vatican. Instead, the Vaticvan says the trip is “under consideration but that no dates or itinerary have been finalized”. Read more