Egypt hots up

In the centre of Asyut (Assiut) pro and anti-Morsi demonstrations are taking place this evening, as in many other cities throughout Egypt. The protesters are high spirited, but the gatherings are  peaceful.

Bishop Kyrillos William of Assiut exoressed his deep thanks for all the prayers and the aid given by ACN. 'I know I can count on your continuing  support and help for our work and mission for our people. Thank you and may God bless you," he said as I left Asyut to travel by train to Luxor.    

With gratitude and in prayer and solidarity with those in need whom we serve - here in Egypt and throughout the world.

Neville

Neville Kyrke-Smith
National Director
Aid to the Church in Need UK

Upper Egypt
Sunday 30th June 2013

Photo of Abeder, nr Asyut

Photo of Abeder, at baptism of Shenouda, near Asyut, Sunday 30th June 2013.  

30th June

The 30th June is seeing huge rallies taking place across Egypt. Tahrir square in Cairo already has hundreds of thousands gathered protesting against President Morsi, whilst there are large crowds assembling in other major cities. I was told this morning by one young Egyptian that it is all building up to 5 o'clock when even more people will come out to join protests. One pro-Morsi gathering is being featured on national TV, but the numbers on the streets seem to reflect the huge figure of more than 22million who are said to have signed the Tamaroud 'rebellion' petition for Morsi to "go out" and step down .

Millions of people want a new beginning and fear what will happen if President Morsi stays.

At a long Catholic Coptic Liturgy this morning I witnessed the faith and hope of the large Christian community. There are up to 10 million Christians in Egypt - mainly Orthodox Copts, but also 200,000 Catholic Copts. A baby boy Shenouda was  baptised with his proud father Karam & mother Nosa bringing their child before God, relying on his grace. The cousins of Shenouda, living in the same village near Asyut, gathered round the font - and the photo (attached) of the little boy Abeder holding the candle at the font illustrates the hope of our brothers & sisters here,  in north Africa and the Middle East.     

Please pray and help keep the light of Christ alive. 

Neville

Neville Kyrke-Smith
National Director
Aid to the Church in Need UK

Asyut, Upper Egypt
30th June 2013

Egypt update Saturday 29th June

Some people in Egypt are talking about the possibility of another revolution + Tamaroud ('Rebellion') has just claimed over 22 million signatories in the petition for President Morsi to step down. However, there is another important story at a local level.

In many parishes and villages in Upper Egypt there is an amazing witness  of Christ's love for all. Earlier today I visited  villages near Assiut and met with priests and sisters working with and for everyone. One priest - call him Fr J -  was hugged and greeted by a Salafist in his village. Fr J also has many Muslims come to his church on feast days of Our Lady -  "for they love Mary" he told me. Fr J is invited to  Muslim funerals and weddings. Elsewhere I met Sisters who visit the poor, enable children who are working in the fields to go to kindergarten and are respected and loved by Muslim villagers.

This is the  Gospel of love - which reaches everyone through care for the poor, the vulnerable and those in need.

Sister B said: "We are always in need of prayer. Christians abroad should please always remember and think of Christians in the Middle East."

The mission of the Church is alive at the level of the people and their witness challenges and encourages us. As Bishop Kyrillos William of Assiut said: "It is our mission to show love for God and for the people of our country, Egypt."

Please remember all the people of Egypt and Christians in the Middle East in your prayers this Sunday.


Neville Kyrke-Smith
National Director
Aid to the Church in Need

Assiut, Upper Egypt

Prayers for peace + hope in Egypt

In Cairo the tension increased again last night, as protests and counter protests continued - building to an even bigger anti-Morsi protest in Tahrir Square this Sunday. News channels used split screens to show demonstrations from around the country- including from Alexandria where four people were killed. This Saturday morning 29th June there are reports of trouble and  some deaths in Port Said.

In Assiut there have been some small demonstrations, but at the Liturgy this morning Bishop Kyrillos William, the Coptic Catholic Bishop (see photo) prayed for peace. One Christian in Assiut commented - "We have had a Friday like Good Friday - now we hope for Easter and our resurrection."      

Bishop Kyrillos thanked his friends at ACN for their solidarity  and support, but added;
"Please join in prayer for us Christians and for all Egyptians at this critical time."  

Neville

Neville Kyrke-Smith
National Director
Aid to the Church in Need UK

Egypt update

As evening draws in across a hot Cairo, the heat of protest continues. In Tahrir Square anti Morsi protesters are out in their thousands. Whilst elsewhere in Nasr City pro-Morsi people have been bused in to rally for the President. This is just the build up.

Priests and people ask that we join them in prayer for peace and social justice, with religious freedom and conscience respected.

One young Catholic Copt in Zaytoun just told me: "I love God. I love my country of Egypt. Please be strong with us in faith and hope."   

Neville

Neville Kyrke-Smith
National Director
Aid to the Church in Need

Photo from Cairo 28 06 13

Photo of flag bearer - anti-Morsi, pro-Egypt - 28 06 13


Neville Kyrke-Smith
National Director
Aid to the Church in Need

Cairo, Egypt

In Cairo this Friday morning, 28th June, and everyone is agreeing that it will get even hotter...politically this weekend. It is one year since the election of President Morsi and discontent has spread. Now 20 million are said to have signed a petition for Morsi to go. Long queues for petrol are to be seen and there were many hundreds of thousands protesting on the streets last night. Fr Rafic the press spokesman for the Coptic Catholic Patriarch told me last night that 2 to 3 million were already on the streets across all the governates of Egypt and protests will build further until the actual anniversary of Morsi's election on Sunday. Barricades and road blocks have been put up in many strategic places, with the army said to be ready to intervene if necessary.

Speaking to young Copts I was told how discrimination and oppression has increased - from colleges to villages. Sectarian incidents and attacks across the country have increased to become almost daily events - for Christians and for others.  Ramy told me that he thought that this protest would be " bigger than the 25th revolution" - referring to the 25th January 2011 when President Mubarak was overthrown.

The Coptic Catholic Patriarch Ibrahim Sidrak appealed for prayers for social justice, religious freedom and rights...and asked also for prayers for peace and that no one be badly injured or killed this weekend.

Neville Kyrke-Smith
National Director
Aid to the Church in Need UK

Lebanon update

Up in the mountains of Lebanon, in the Qadisha Valley, prayers for peace have been offered this Sunday. Sporadic violence flares up on the borders of Lebanon, close to Syria, and in protests and areas associated with the war in Syria. Here though, prayers are offered from an area of peace and beauty  - which is a stronghold  of Maronite Catholic faith.

Mass was celebrated up at the birth place of St Charbel, in Bqaa Kafra, at 1750m.  Aid to the Church in Need pilgrims prayed for peace in the Middle East and for all those suffering at this time - particularly the Syrian people. Most estimates now say there are well over 1 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon alone.

The biggest needs are for help for refugees, peace in this region and for the Christian presence to be sustained - all with prayer and compassion.

Please join us and the people here in prayer.

Neville Kyrke-Smith
National Director
Aid to the Church in Need

Monastery of St Anthony of Qozhaya, Qadisha Valley, Lebanon

ACN report from Lebanon June 2013

04.06.13  Beirut, Lebanon

On the first full day of Aid to the Church in Need UK's pilgrimage to Lebanon, the 36 members of the group visited the centre of Beirut. We visited churches, mosques and the Rafik Hariri Tomb on Martyrs' Square - becoming aware of the cultural mix and painful recent history of Lebanese life. This "Lebanese mosaic" is framed by the surrounding violence of Syria and tensions in the wider Middle East. Meeting Fr Jean-Marc, a Maronite priest in Beirut, we heard of the increased anxiety in Lebanon. Time and again the Lebanese have said that they are tired of conflict and violence - and do not want to be drawn into the Syrian civil war by factions. 

Please join us and Christians here in prayer for peace in the Middle East. Our Lady of Lebanon pray for us.