Statement by His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos on escalating violence in Sudan and the increasing attacks on The Coptic Orthodox Community

 

Coptic Orthodox Church UK
Media and Communications Office 

Coptic Orthodox Church (Europe)
                         Media and Communications Office

 

Statement by His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos on escalating violence in Sudan and the increasing attacks on The Coptic Orthodox Community

 

22 May 2023

As we rejoice in the Risen Lord between the Feasts of the Resurrection and Pentecost in the Coptic Orthodox Church, our hearts are heavy with sadness for the people of Sudan and the conflict and war that are ripping the nation apart. The Coptic Orthodox Church has a large and vibrant community in Sudan, and I have been in contact with Their Graces Bishop Sarabamaun and Bishop Eleya over the past weeks, as well as many who have families there, and have heard first hand of the devastation and displacement faced by the thousands who have been forced to leave their homes, and all they have, in order to escape to safety. I have also heard of the immense pressures placed on those who have not been able, or did not want, to leave, and the subsequent daily dangers that they face.

While reports over the past weeks have been incredibly painful, we are now even more alarmed to hear of the targeted attacks on churches and church properties that have placed our laity and clergy at very real risk. Churches and church properties have been attacked, looted and seized by armed groups, and nuns and senior clergy have had to be moved for their own safety.

While we pray, and invite others to pray, for our sisters and brothers in Sudan, we also appeal to policy makers and those in authority to do all they can to restore order and the rule of law that ensures the safety of every person, and restores a sense of peace to a country now torn apart by war and conflict.

We lift up our hearts and our prayers for those here in Britain and around the world who are deeply concerned for the wellbeing of their families and friends who have been, and continue to be, affected by this conflict in Sudan, and we stand alongside them to do all we can to support in whatever way we can.

Although I write this message expressing the concern that I share with many, I am reminded that we are always hopeful in our God Who does not forget any of His children at their time of greatest need, and Who promises that He will never abandon us, “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5, NKJV).

While war, conflict and crisis reveal the worst of our broken humanity, they also provide an opportunity for the best of humanity to be expressed in our support for those struggling and affected. I encourage everyone who reads this message to support in whatever way they can, whether that be through prayer, raising awareness to the plight of those in Sudan, or financially, so we can all play a part to support those in greatest need at this time.

We will be dedicating the weekend of 27 and 28 May 2023 to continue to raise funds across the Diocese for our sisters and brothers in Sudan, as well as those displaced both internally and externally. I am so thankful for the generosity of so many so far in the response to our first appeal, and am sure that many will be just as responsive to this appeal, as this humanitarian catastrophe continues to affect the lives of many.

*Ends*

 

Press Release: Freedom of Faith - Comment by HG Bishop Angaelos re International Religious Freedom

For immediate use

16 May 2014

Coptic Orthodox Church UK

Media and Communications Office

Coptic Orthodox Church (Europe)

Media and Communications Office

Freedom of Faith

Comment by His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom

The freedom to choose and practice one’s faith is a fundamental right for all under international law, and yet we continue to see numerous tragic cases around the world in which that same right is non-existent, and exercising this freedom is punishable, sometimes even by death.

As Christians we believe that all are created in the Image and likeness of God, with His Image intrinsic to our human nature, which lays the foundation for respect and love for all. Within this nature, we believe that all have been given the freedom to choose and live according to those choices, and while freedom of religion is one choice that is central to the lives of millions across the world, it continues to be widely violated.

As recently reported by Amnesty International, Meriam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag is a Christian Sudanese woman in Sudan who was sentenced "to death by hanging for ‘apostasy’" after refusing to renounce her Christian Faith and convert to Islam, although she has lived as a Christian since her childhood. Meriam, who is twenty seven years old and is eight months pregnant, was reportedly also sentenced to "flogging for ‘adultery’" because her marriage to a Christian man is considered unlawful. This, among other cases, sheds light on the intensity of the struggle facing so many around the world who strive to merely practice their faith.
   

The recent and deeply-disturbing development of the kidnapped schoolgirls in Nigeria who have reportedly been forced to convert to Islam is yet another incident that has shocked the international community, and in which this brutal violation of this fundamental human right is also causing great distress to families who anxiously await the return of their children.

Egyptian Christians know the effect of religious persecution against numeric minority communities in the Middle East all too well, with the emergence of pockets of intolerant Islamism that have led to more attacks on Christians in the eighteen months following the popular uprising of 2011, than over the twenty years prior. This intolerance has not only affected Christians however, as the first attacks after the uprising were on Sufi shrines, and on a separate occasion Shi’ite Muslims were also senselessly killed in the streets. That said, as Christians we do not live defeated but strive to advocate for all who suffer persecution, oppression and marginalisation, be they Christian or otherwise, man, woman, young or old.

The Baha’i community in Iran is likewise no stranger to religious persecution, and 14 May 2014 marks the sixth anniversary of the imprisonment of seven Baha’i leaders, detained for carrying out ‘peaceful activities on behalf of their communities’.

Here in Britain we pride ourselves on our multi-cultural community that seeks to accommodate and provide for all, and rightly so. We cannot however ignore the fact that, for many across the Middle East in particular, the concept of citizenship, justice and equality are not rights available to everyone, and are very much dependent on a person’s religious affiliation.

We must not forget those around the world who continue to face intense persecution for merely attempting to live out their chosen faith. We also continue to pray and advocate for the rights of these individuals and communities so that this God-given freedom may be exercised within the context of peaceful co-existence and cohesion. This will then ensure a spirit of true reconciliation and acceptance within political states and communities that respect all as equal individuals with equal rights.

*Ends*