A small chapel lies next to the Great Cathedral of St. Mark in Abbasia district was attacked by a suicide bomber. The historic church is more than 100 years old and was chosen to kill dozens of innocent worshipers most of which are women and children.
The chapel was built as a memorial to Boutros-Ghali Pasha, Prime Minister of Egypt, who was assassinated by a fanatic who shot him dead. Thus, the chapel was established by blood of a Coptic man and was consecrated 100 years later by blood of Coptic worshippers.
I have lost relatives in the blast, and ask God’s condolences to families of the victims and the wounded. I really appreciate martyrdom, but the Egyptian state doesn’t protect the Copts as it should. The terrorist was arrested 2 years ago on charges of belonging to a terrorist group and carrying weapons. Yet, he was released and communicated with terrorist cell in Qatar and was able to reach the chapel without security hurdles.
The truth is that the offender is not only the terrorist, but there are other state executive bodies like the interior minister and head of the National Security Service and head of the Egyptian General Intelligence Service. They should stand trial for negligence and not only to discharge them. The judge who released the terrorist two years ago though he was found guilty should be judged as well.
Perhaps other churches will be attacked soon after recent presidential pardon was issued for many prisoners, including those who torched Coptic churches and properties of the Copts.
6 years ago, the Mubarak regime was overthrown after the two saints bombing in Alexandria. This time the attack was stronger since the bomb was inside the church. The Copts are praying to God who shall hear and save them. Let the Copts have stronger faith, and let Pope Tawadros lead the congregation to martyrdom and add to the history of the old martyrs.
