Egypt: Coptic Pope tells Christians 'hatred must not enter our hearts'

Pope Tawadros II

After a suspension of about 10 weeks, because of clashes which rocked the country following the deposition of Islamist President Morsi, the Coptic Orthodox Patriarch Tawadros II yesterday returned to appear in public at the traditional meeting of prayer and catechesis held every Wednesday afternoon at the Coptic Cathedral in Cairo.

In his preaching - held in conjunction with the Coptic New Year - the first day of the year according to the ancient Egyptian calendar – Pope Tawadros made clear reference to the Coptic Christians who were killed in August in the attacks suffered by Islamist groups, celebrating them as new martyrs.

Around 52 churches and dozens of Christian homes, schools, orphanages, offices and businesses in Egypt were attacked. Several were completely destroyed.

"The world is saved because it is in God's hands, and Egypt has a special place in His heart. God gives us the same faith and confidence of the martyrs, so that we must not be anyone’s enemy... Let us not allow hatred and hostility to penetrate our hearts", said the Coptic Patriarch in the course of his preaching."

Source: Fides