English Catholics united in prayer with Copts

Catholic leaders in England say they are united in prayer with the Coptic community after deadly explosions in two Coptic churches in Egypt.

The statement was signed by the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, as well as by Archbishops Bernard Longley and Kevin McDonald, both members of the Catholic-Oriental Orthodox Forum.

The Bishops note that the bombings took place during Palm Sunday services, “where traditionally palm branches are blessed as a symbol of peace.”

“Nothing can justify these atrocious acts of terrorism,” they said.

The Bishops’ statement says, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II [the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church] and the Coptic community across the world and the people of Egypt.”

Below, please find the full text of the Bishops’ statement:

“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.”

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales
Archbishop Bernard Longley – Catholic Member of the Catholic-Oriental Orthodox Forum.
Archbishop Emeritus Kevin McDonald – Catholic Member of the Catholic-Oriental Orthodox Forum.