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Egypt: Two churches bombed during Palm Sunday Masses


St Mark's Cathedral, Alexandria - Wiki image

St Mark's Cathedral, Alexandria - Wiki image

Source: MEC/CCN

Christians in Egypt request our prayers after two churches in Northern Egypt suffered bomb attacks during Palm Sunday services today.

The first bomb exploded inside Mar Girgis (St George's) Coptic Orthodox church in Tanta, in Gharbiya governorate in the Nile Delta region. The bishopric has issued a list of 26 names of people who died in the attack. According to the Ministry of Health, 71 people were injured.

In March a bomb was found at the same church, but on that occasion the device was successfully defused.

Later in the morning, a suicide bomber was intercepted and detonated his device outside St Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria. According to a statement by the Ministry of Health, six people were killed in this attack and 33 were injured.

Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadrous II was presiding over the Palm Sunday celebrations in the cathedral, but he is reported to be unharmed.

The so-called Islamic State has claimed responsibility for both attacks.

Pope Francis condemned the terror attacks. Speaking to pilgrims gathered in St Peter's Square to pray the Angelus with him following Palm Sunday Mass, the Holy Father said: "We pray for the victims claimed this Sunday morning.. To my dear brother, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, to the Coptic Church and to all the dear Egyptian nation I express my deep condolences. I pray for the dead and the injured, and I am close in spirit to their family members and to the entire community."

Pope Francis went on to pray, "May the Lord convert the hearts of the people who are sowing terror, violence and death, and also the hearts of those who make and traffic weapons."

Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Cairo at the end of this month.

Catholic leaders in England have just issued the following 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."

Signed:

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales
Archbishop Bernard Longley
Archbishop Emeritus Kevin McDonald - Catholic Members of the Catholic-Oriental Orthodox Forum

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