The World Council of Churches, which represents more than 560 million
Christians, has condemned the New Year’s Day bombing of a Coptic church
that killed at least 21 people and wounded 97.
It described the incident as a “vicious attack on innocent
worshippers” attending the New Year’s midnight mass at Saints Church in
Alexandria, Egypt. WCC general secretary, the Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit,
sent general condolences and prayers on behalf of the ecumenical body to
the families of the victims.
WCC calls on Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, religious leaders, and
governments across the region to safeguard the fundamental religious
rights of worshippers of all faiths.
“Government action must be matched by solidarity among Muslims,
Christians and people of all faiths as they interact at the local level
and together denounce any violent attack,” said Tveit. “We expect
leaders to join once again in condemning such acts.”
An explosion, suspected to be triggered by a suicide bomber, took
place outside of a Coptic Christian church as people were exiting. It is
the deadliest terrorist attack in Egypt in recent years.
President Obama strongly condemned the bombing in a statement
released on Saturday.
The European Union High Representative Catherine
Ashton also condemned the bombing, saying there cannot be any
justification for the attack.
Authorities are reportedly holding seven people for questioning in
connection to the church bombing, a security source told Reuters Sunday.
Coptic Christians have responded by gathering Sunday outside the
church and demanding the state and church do more to protect believers.
Protesters pointed out that al Qaida had threatened harm to the Egyptian
Christian community a month ago but the government did nothing to
prevent this weekend’s bombing.
Early last January, gunmen also opened fire on Coptic Orthodox
Christians coming out of a Christmas Day mass, killing six Christians
and a Muslim security guard, in the southern town of Nagaa Hammadi.
Christians make up somewhere between eight and 12 percent of Egypt’s
population of 79 million.
Historically, Christians and Muslims have
lived in relative harmony, but in recent years there has been increasing
tension and violence between the two communities.
SIC: CT/INT'L