Coptic Catholic patriarch says Egyptian Catholics face discrimination

Published: 2004-02-09

ROME (CNS) -- While Egyptian law proclaims the equality of all the country's citizens, Christians often are discriminated against, said Cardinal Stephanos II Ghattas, patriarch of the Coptic Catholic Church. The patriarch said Christian and Muslim leaders are "respectful of one another," and people of both faiths recognize that Christianity and Islam emphasize prayer, fasting and care for the poor. In the 170 schools run by Coptic Catholics, "the majority of our students are Muslims. This allows us to establish relationships of friendship and collaboration," Cardinal Ghattas told the Italian missionary magazine "Mondo e Missione." At the same time, he said, a "fundamentalist Muslim current" continues to try to limit Egyptian Christians' presence and activity in the country's social and political life. The difficulties are seen most clearly when Catholics or Orthodox seek permits to build or remodel churches, he said. "The law says we need a presidential decree, in addition to many other formalities. But even when the permits arrive, the local administrations usually find a way to put a stick in the spokes," the cardinal said.

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