Coptic
Orthodox Church UK
Media
and Communications Office
Coptic
Orthodox Church (Europe)
Media and Communications Office
Message
of condolence received by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II from
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales
12
December 2016
Messages of condolence have
been pouring in for the Coptic Orthodox Community worldwide as a result of a
brutal bombing which claimed the lives of 25, mostly women and children, at St
Peter’s Coptic Orthodox Church in Cairo.
A message from HRH The Prince of Wales was sent to His
Holiness Pope Tawadros II, saying:
"I wanted to send to Your Holiness, and to all members of the Coptic
Orthodox Church in Egypt and across the world, my most profound sympathy over
the unbearably inhuman attack on the chapel adjacent to St Mark's
Cathedral. Those guilty of this terrible crime are clearly seeking, in
their brutal way, to create divisions within Egyptian society, as we have
seen only on Friday with the barbaric murder of six policemen in Giza. The
steadfastness of Egyptians in the face of such appalling hatred and extremism
is greatly to be admired.
I can only begin to imagine the dreadful shock and grief that Copts, and
indeed all Egyptians, must be feeling and my heart goes out to the families and
loved ones of those who have been killed and wounded.
I wanted to assure Your Holiness that Copts everywhere, and especially in
Egypt, are in my thoughts and special prayers as they try to cope with the
loss, pain and fear that the attack has inflicted upon them."
In response to the message of condolence from HRH The
Prince of Wales and other individuals, Church bodies, faith groups and
organisations, His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox
Church in the United Kingdom said:
“On a day of great concern and sadness for Coptic Christians around the
world, it is truly heartening to receive warm messages of support and condolence
from friends across a broad spectrum of society. Atrocities such as these cause
much pain to all affected, yet they also shine light on the immense love, care and
solidarity expressed by many who feel they share a common humanity, whatever their
background, faith or walk of life.
I am thankful for the message from His Royal Highness The Prince of
Wales, who visited our community in 2013 to highlight the plight of Christians
in the Middle East, and for his ongoing support for all who suffer as a result
of oppression and marginalisation. We pray that God continue to provide hope,
light and support to all who are suffering, as we also pray for those who continue
to aspire to be that support, that hope and that light.”
*Ends*
