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Egyptian pope goes into seclusion

Dec 20, 2004 7:50 am By Robert Spencer

Pope Shenouda III seems to have gone into seclusion as a protest against the mistreatment of Copts in Egypt. From the BBC, with thanks to JJP Mackie:

Tensions flared during the last three weeks over fears that Christians were being forced to convert to Islam.

At least 34 Copts were arrested during a demonstration in Cairo and sectarian violence also erupted in Upper Egypt.

“The seclusion of His Holiness the Pope will continue until he reaches a solution [with the government] that satisfies his conscience to the problems related to the Copts,” the pope’s secretary Bishop Armia told Reuters news agency.

Other Church sources have been quoted as saying he will not resume his duties until the authorities release those people arrested in Cairo.

Controversial case

The generally calm relations between the authorities and the Coptic minority – which makes up 5-10% of Egypt’s population – became strained over the case of priest’s wife Wafa Constantine.

Government officials had said Mrs Constantine, 48, wanted to convert to Islam but was being prevented from doing so by her family.

Rumours that she had been abducted and forced to convert began circulating among Copts, sparking angry protests outside Cairo’s St Mark’s cathedral.

A number of police and worshippers were injured in protests where stones were allegedly thrown and arrests were made at demonstrations deemed illegal.

The clashes and a sit-in at the cathedral ended when protesters were told that Mrs Constantine was back under the Church’s protection.

“The patriarch granted her his mercy and assured her that she remained in the Church,” the pope’s office said.

Last Thursday, Egypt’s prosecutor-general said that Mrs Constantine had gone to police saying she wanted to change her religion, but had decided to remain a Christian after meeting Church officials.

‘Discrimination’

Also this month, police said they had arrested 25 people after sectarian violence erupted in the Upper Egyptian village of Munqateen.

Police were reported to be keeping Muslims and Christians apart after three Christian-owned shops were set ablaze, Christian homes were stoned and police cars were wrecked.

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