HG Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of The Coptic Orthodox Church, UK on BBC Thought for the Day

HG Bishop Angaelos on 'Thought for the Day' BBC Radio 4

Click HERE to listen to 'Thought for the Day'

BBC 'Thought for the Day'

Radio 4

Tuesday 27 December, 2011

The landscape of the Middle East has been changing significantly, and in the midst of revolutions, uprisings, terrorist attacks and general social unrest, there is a small but significant group of individuals trying to live an increasingly difficult situation.

It is often forgotten that Christianity actually started in those lands that are now overtaken by conflict. Whether following the Western calendar celebrating Christmas on 25 December or, as we do in the Coptic Orthodox Church, following the Julian calendar celebrating it on 7 January, Christians in the Middle East are experiencing this year’s Nativity Feast in an uncertain and volatile climate. The place that was to be the springboard to “peace on earth and goodwill towards men”, as proclaimed by the angels at the birth of Christ, has unfortunately become a fertile ground for conflict and fragmentation.

On 9 December of this year, a House of Lords debate on Christians in the Middle East gave an inspiring and encouraging message of overwhelming consensus that Christianity was an essential and integral part of the Middle East, and that the decreasing presence of Christians and Christian communities is a sad loss for that region, and indeed for the whole world.

Focusing on Egypt, home to the Coptic Orthodox Church, the largest Christian denomination in the Middle East, and an indigenous Church since the first Century, we see an increasingly uncertain time ahead, not only for Christians, but for the whole nation. Egypt is now living a state of unprecedented political freedom, which has ironically lead to greater instability and the appearance of radical and conflicting political and religious ideologies. 

While this may indeed be a healthy sign in more democratically-developed nations, in a country like Egypt, currently economically devastated, with a vulnerable electorate hampered by extreme poverty and illiteracy, this creates an uneasy climate and gives rise to the potential manipulation of that electorate.

Having said that, we have not in the past, and do not intend now, to live with the spirit of defeat or self-pity. The Christian message is one of power and hope; overcoming evil with good, and uncertainty with the knowledge of, and trust in, a true and faithful God.

As we all celebrate these festive days, let us remember our brethren in the Middle East, hoping that all has not been in vain, but actually leads to a greater understanding and practice of true democracy and respect for the rights of every individual. 

We must also remember that for many millions of Christians in the Middle East, along with their brethren in Nigeria who on Christmas Day experienced such tragedy at what should have been a time of sacred celebration, these days commemorate the birth of the Incarnate Word, Who is still the source of the hope, courage and resilience with which they live till today.Click HERE to listen to 'Thought for the Day' with HG Bishop Angaelos

House of Lords Debate: Christians in the Middle East, Friday 9th December 2011

House of Lords debate regarding Christians in the Middle East

On Friday 9^th December 2011, HG Bishop Angaelos attended the House of Lords debate on Christians in the Middle East as guest of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams. Led by the Archbishop, the debate lasted four and half hours and consisted of ten minute comments by 29 members of the House, raising issues relating to the current situation of Christians in light of the Arab Spring in Egypt and other countries in the Middle Eastern. Egypt was top of the agenda for many of the speakers, with the mention of the decline of indigenous Christian communities, and the negative impact that would have on countries where this occurs, as well as pointing out the vast numbers of Christians now emigrating as a result of persecutions and a lack of protection from their own governments.  

HG Bishop Angaelos said:

“...we have confidence in God’s promises and know that His children throughout the Middle East and throughout the world are in His hand, remembering His words: 'For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.' We are also appreciative of those who feel the need to speak regarding basic human rights that should not be denied to anyone of any faith anywhere in the world. With all of this we commit all of those in the Middle East, Christian and Muslim alike, to God in our prayers, asking for a peaceful existence and transition for the region during these uncertain times.” 

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams stated,

“Issues in Egypt are inevitably among the most immediate in the minds of many of us just now. Of late, the Coptic community has seen levels of emigration rise to unprecedented heights, and in a way that would have been unthinkable even a very few years ago…”

Lord Wood of Anfield, Shadow Spokesperson commented,

“Some debates in this Chamber are about issues that divide us, but this is not one of them…The situation and welfare of Christians in the Middle East is a cause for concern for all of us, whether or not we share the Christian faith, partly because we should proudly defend the rights of minorities in the region as elsewhere…the way religious minorities in the Middle East are treated is a litmus test in that most fragile of regions for the presence of the basic levels of tolerance and respect that are needed for genuine stability to emerge.”

Lord Howell, the minister of state, foreign and commonwealth office presented the Government’s view stating, 

“This potential will be realised only if Governments respond to demands for respect of universal human rights by implementing reforms that apply universally to all citizens, regardless of faith, ethnicity or gender, and the central consideration must be the one that has come through again and again in this debate…that religious freedom is a basic human right.” 

It was evident that there was consensus among all who spoke, representing all sides of the House, in terms of recognising the seriousness of the problems currently faced by Christians in Egypt and the Middle East, emphasising the need to monitor the situation closely in order to ensure the rights of indigenous Christians in the region.

Overall, the debate presented inspiring and informed statements by all members of the House of Lords, and can be viewed here: http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=9536

Consensus in the British House of Lords on the state of Christians in the Middle East

Consensus in the British House of Lords

on the state of Christians in the Middle East

Bishop Angaelos

On Friday 9 December 2011, I was privileged to personally attend the House of Lords debate on Christian minorities in the Middle East as the guest of His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury. Led by the Archbishop the debate lasted four and half hours and consisted of ten-minute comments by 29 peers. They all spoke of issues related to the current situation of Christians in light of the so called ‘Arab Spring’ in Egypt and other countries in the Middle East. Egypt was top of the agenda for many of the speakers, mentioning the decline in the numbers of indigenous Christian communities, and the negative impact that would have on countries where this occurs, as well as pointing out the vast numbers of Christians now emigrating as a result of persecutions due to the perceived lack of protection from their own governments. 

It was noticeable that there was consensus among all who spoke, representing all sides of the House, in terms of recognising the seriousness of the problems currently faced by Christians in Egypt and the Middle East. The speakers emphasised the need to monitor the situation closely in order to ensure the rights of indigenous Christians in the region.

In response to the statements Lord Howell, minister of state in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, presented the government’s view stating, “...governments must respond to demands for the respect of universal human rights by implementing reforms that apply universally to all citizens, regardless of faith, ethnicity or gender, and the central consideration must be the one that has come through again and again in this debate…that religious freedom is a basic human right.” Lord Wood of Anfield, the Shadow Spokesperson stated “Some debates in this Chamber are about issues that divide us, but this is not one of them. The great virtue of this debate is that it is not to argue about policy but to bring to the attention of this House and those who follow its debates the disturbing and deteriorating situation faced by Christians in the Middle East…”

Overall, I was inspired by the sincere and informed statements made by the peers, and I encourage you watch the proceeding: http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=9536

Above all, we have confidence in God’s promises and know that His children throughout the Middle East and throughout the world are in His hand, remembering His words: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11. At the same time however, we are also appreciative of those who are in a position to speak regarding basic human rights, and ensuring that they should not be denied to anyone of any faith anywhere in the world.

With all of this we commit all of those in the Middle East, Christian and Muslim alike, to God in our prayers, asking for a peaceful existence and transition for the region during these uncertain times.

Press Release: The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre in the UK denies any involvement with former Egyptian finance minister

The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre

Media and Public Relations Office

PRESS RELEASE

5^th December 2011

The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre in the UK denies any involvement with former Egyptian finance minister

In response to untrue allegations made by Al Ahram group, The Coptic Orthodox Centre UK categorically denies the presence of the former Egyptian finance minister Youssef Botrous Ghaly at the Centre now or at any time in the past. The Coptic Centre further denies any involvement in any official or unofficial dealings with the former minister. The Centre and HG Bishop Angaelos have no official or unofficial relationship with Dr Ghaly and are unaware of his whereabouts.

Bishop Angaelos has expressed the following with regards to this matter, “We are not in a position to judge as to the relationship between Egypt and former minister Youssef Botrous Ghaly as I understand that this is a matter for the authorities in Egypt. We have however not had any dealings with him here in the United Kingdom. I find this utterly irresponsible and a further incitement against Christians and the Church that is totally unfounded.”

The Centre is seeking the Al Ahram group to retract and correct this information or legal proceedings will be initiated as this is an irresponsible action that presents a real risk for which the newspaper will be held accountable.

Media and Public Relations Office

The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre
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Hertfordshire SG2 8NP
England, United Kingdom

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