Coptic Orthodox Church UK
Media and
Communications Office
Coptic Orthodox
Church (Europe)
Media
and Communications Office
Press Release from the Coptic Orthodox Church
in the United Kingdom following the departure of Sherif Habib
27 April 2016
During
this Holy Week, our whole community is shocked and saddened by the news of the
departure of one of our young men, Sherif Habib. His Holiness Pope Tawadros II,
Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark, called personally to convey his condolences to Sherif’s family and the Coptic community in London. His
Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the
United Kingdom, accompanied by Father Thomas Ghobrial, made a pastoral visit to
the family yesterday.
Speaking after his visit with Sherif’s
parents, Bishop Angaelos said:
“The loss of any life brings sadness, but the loss of a
young man who had just completed his studies and was embarking on the next
stage of his life is especially tragic. We pray repose for Sherif and comfort for
his family, who are understandably experiencing great pain at this time, as
well as for his friends and wider community. We are also reminded during this
Holy Week, and as we approach the Feast of the Resurrection, that our hope is
in the Risen Lord, and so we pray that He comfort Sherif’s family and all who
mourn this tragic loss.”
Their
Excellencies the Egyptian Ambassador to the United Kingdom and the Consul-General
in London have visited the family to express their condolences. Egyptian
officials in London were initially contacted by a priest of one of our London
parishes at the request of the family.
Due
to the ongoing official investigation by the Metropolitan Police Service in
London, there are no further details at this time.
At
this difficult time and in this period of mourning, press and media are asked
to respect the privacy of the family.
*Ends*
