Egypt’s Copts criticise US intervention in church affairs

The Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt has issued a statement condemning a draft bill submitted to the US Congress regarding its churches. The bill has been prepared by Republican representative David Trott.

If passed by the US Congress, the US Secretary of State would be required to submit an annual report to the legislature on the restoration and repair of Christian property in Egypt. Many church buildings were damaged by extremists following the coup government’s violent dispersal of two large protests organised by supporters of the ousted President Mohamed Morsi in August 2013.

According to the Coptic Church authorities, however, the government in Cairo has fulfilled its duty by making such repairs using its own funds. The church council confirmed that President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has promised that the repairs will be completed before the end of 2016, and this appears to be the case.

The statement added that following the bomb attack on the Coptic cathedral in Cairo earlier this month, the engineers of the Egyptian armed forces repaired the damage and prepared it in time for the Christmas Eve service. Such a demonstration of national unity will never be compromised, insisted the Coptic authority.