Pope Shenouda heads to Washington next week
Egypt, Religion, 1/28/1998

Egyptian sources said the Patriarch of the Orthodox Copts Pope Shenouda will head to the USA next week where he will inaugurate new Coptic churches in Virginia. During his visit, the pontiff is also expected to participate in a number of seminars and will give some lectures.

The sources added that the Pope will meet with the Egyptian Coptic expatriates during his visit to Boston, Cleveland, and New Jersey where there are many Copts. The pope is expected to discuss with them the affairs of the Copts and will also answer criticisms raised against the Egyptian Church.

The sources said Shenouda will reiterate the Copts' refusal to visit Jerusalem before its liberation and will reiterate the fact that the Copts are not subjected to any pressures in Egypt. He will try to clarify that the difficulties encountered when the Copts try to build new churches or restore old churches come as a result of red tape, not as a reflection of any official government stance against the Copts.

The sources also said Shenouda will request that some Coptic expatriates ease the tone of criticism raised against the Egyptian government and will stress his refusal of any foreign intervention to protect the Copts from attacks by Islamic Fundamentalist groups in Egypt.

Previous Stories:
  Egyptians united in denouncing Luxor attack   (12/29/1997)
  Copts tell US to butt out of Egypt's internal affairs   (11/12/1997)
  Pope Shenouda III rejects foreign intervention in Copts' affairs   (10/2/1997)

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