Catholic leaders pray for Coptic community

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, and Catholic Members of the Catholic-Oriental Orthodox Forum, Archbishop Bernard Longley and Archbishop Emeritus Kevin McDonald, have expressed their horror at the recent atrocities in Egypt: 

“It is with deep sorrow and sadness that we learned of the bombing of St George’s Coptic church (Mar Girgis) in the city of Tanta in the Nile Delta, and the explosion outside St Mark’s Coptic church in Alexandria. Both blasts took place during a Palm Sunday service, where traditionally palm branches are blessed as a symbol of peace. Nothing can justify these atrocious acts of terrorism.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II and the Coptic community across the world and the people of Egypt.

“We have sent an assurance of our prayers and a message of support to Bishop Angaelos, the General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom.”