Egyptian Church ravaged by sectarian violence in 2013 finally reopens

Bishop Macarius of Minya Louafi Larbi/Reuters

A church in Minya was re-opened on Saturday after renovations in the wake of damage caused by sectarian attacks.

The church in the village of Beni Mazar was one of 69 churches attacked in the sectarian violence that broke out following the anti-Mohamed Morsi uprising and post-Muslim Brotherhood sit-in dispersals in 2013.

According to the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights in August, 'at least 45 churches came under simultaneous attack in various governorates as soon as procedures to clear the two sit-ins began, resulting in the death of 7 citizens, the torching of 25 churches, the looting and destruction of 7 churches and the partial destruction of 5 more churches. This is in addition to assaults on numerous schools, civic associations and church-affiliated social services buildings.'

The renovations were carried out by the Egyptian Armed Forces Engineering Authority, and the church was opened on Saturday by Head of the Evangelical Community Andrea Zaki and the Minya governor.

Another church recently restored in the area was St. Peter and St. Paul Church, which was damaged by an attack on 11 December by a suicide bomber allegedly affiliated with the Islamic State.

As a result of these attacks, many churches in Minya have been closed for security reasons. Bishop Macarius said that his parish alone, which includes only Minya city and its immediate environs, had 15 churches closed by security order, and 70 villages and hamlets left without anywhere to hold Christian worship.

The governorate of Minya has experienced the greatest number of sectarian attacks against Coptic Christians in Egypt, with over 75 in the past six years targeting Christian residents.

News
How modern science owes its existence to Christian theology
How modern science owes its existence to Christian theology

Some people think that you have to choose between science and religion, but that is not the case. This is the story …

US religious groups challenge new immigrant enforcement policies
US religious groups challenge new immigrant enforcement policies

A United States Federal Judge has granted an injunction that will prevent immigration agents from carrying out operations in places of worship after a group of religious organisations launched a lawsuit against the Trump administration over new enforcement policies.

Gyles Brandreth joins campaign to end avoidable sight loss
Gyles Brandreth joins campaign to end avoidable sight loss

Gyles Brandreth has thrown his support behind CBM UK’s campaign to end avoidable sight loss.

Church leaders call for 'rethink' of school closures in Ramadan
Church leaders call for 'rethink' of school closures in Ramadan

“We urge the governors of the affected states to reconsider this decision and explore alternative arrangements that respect the rights and freedoms of all citizens.”