Coptic bishop comments on first anniversary of Tahrir Square

His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom released a statement today, to mark the first anniversary of the uprising in Egypt's Tahrir Square on 25 January 2011.

In his statement, Bishop Angaelos comments on the potential for positive reform as a result of the uprising in Tahrir Square a year ago, but also highlights the danger that Christians and indeed Egyptians as a whole now face if transparency and justice are not adhered to in the shift towards a democratic nation state. Mentioning the immediate inspiring effect of the uprising for Egypt and the Middle East at large, Bishop Angaelos calls for accountability and a clear move towards embracing members of the state as equal citizens regardless of their religious identity.

In his statement he said: "The uprising has not yet reached its ultimate goal, and it is understood that the transition to a fully democratic state, if it is indeed to be reached, will take much time and effort. All necessary steps must be taken to ensure that accountability, justice and complete transparency prevail in the workings of all the apparatus of this state. As an essential part of this process the needless loss of life in Tahrir and Maspero must be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted to fulfil the application of this transparent justice."

Read the full statement here: www.CopticCentre.Blogspot.com