Monday, February 07, 2011

Catholic bishop urges prayer to prevent civil war in Egypt

Coptic Catholic Bishop Youhannes Ezzat Zakaria Badir of Luxor-Tebe in Egypt said that since the outbreak of massive protests in the country, his flock has been praying that “violence gives way to dialogue and that the civil war does not break out in the country.”
 
Speaking on Feb. 3 to the Italian news agency SIR, Bishop Zakaria said, “What is happening in Egypt is the result of the misguided policies of world leaders who have not made choices in the best interest of the future, life, dignity and freedom of mankind.”
 
So many young people have risen up in protest, he said, because “for so many years nobody has thought about them, about their needs and dreams. The protests are a desperate act to make their voices heard.”
 
“The time has come for political leaders to make an examination of conscience and set aside their personal interests,” the bishop said. “Politics must again be at the service of our country.”
 
Bishop Zakaria also said he was optimistic about the future of Egypt. The violence of recent days, he added, “is because many under Mubarak who have enjoyed privileges are sending out armed groups against the young people gathered in Tahrir Square.”
 
“We hope that calm will soon prevail,” he said.