Egypt: Copts celebrate first Mass in new church, seven years since closure of previous building

Copts in Kom El-Loufy celebrate the first mass in their new church. (Photo: World Watch Monitor)
Seven years after their previous church was closed by local authorities because of “security reasons”, the Coptic community in the Egyptian village of Kom El-Loufy, 250km south of Cairo, held a first Mass in their new church yesterday, 22 July. The 1,600 Copts from the village in Minya governorate were marking the completion of the first stage . . . Read More

Egypt: Mob attack encouraged by police promise ‘No church will be allowed here’

Egypt: Mob attack encouraged by police promise ‘No church will be allowed here’
A mob attacked a church in Minya, Egypt, on 13 July protesting against its legalisation and received a police officer’s approval, World Watch Monitor has learnt from local sources. The only church in Ezbet Sultan Pasha village, where about 20 percent of the population is Christian, was built in September . . . Read More

Egypt: Families of beheaded Copts finally reunited with remains of loved ones

Egypt: Families of beheaded Copts finally reunited with remains of loved ones
After a three-year wait and a number of broken promises, the Egyptian Coptic families of 20 men beheaded by IS in Libya in 2015 have finally received their loved ones’ remains. The leader of the Coptic Church, Pope Tawadros II, accompanied by several bishops, priests and deacons, welcomed the 20 . . . Read More

Kidnapping fears for missing Coptic newlywed

Kidnapping fears for missing Coptic newlywed
A Coptic Christian woman who had been married for two weeks went missing from her school last Wednesday, sparking fears that she may have been kidnapped. Her disappearance brings to eight the number of Coptic women in Egypt who have gone missing since April, according to research by World Watch . . . Read More

Egypt’s disappearing Coptic women and girls

Egypt’s disappearing Coptic women and girls
At least seven Coptic Christian women and girls disappeared in Egypt last month, in what is becoming a recurring phenomenon. In each case, the family of the woman says she was abducted by a Muslim who wished to convert her to Islam and marry her. All of the disappearances have been . . . Read More