AFRICA/EGYPT - The Catholic Church in Egypt prepares to celebrate the conclusion of the Year of St Paul

Cairo (Agenzia Fides) - Most Catholic Eparchies and parishes in Egypt will celebrate in the next few days, the closing of the Year of St Paul. The event has been followed carefully by the faithful and offered them an opportunity to read again and to meditate on the Letters of St Paul. All through this special year the different Churches have given great importance to the figure of St Paul with special preaching and Bible study groups.
In Cairo on 28 June, Mgr Krikore Kousa Bishop of the Armenian Catholic Church in Egypt, will preside at the church of Santa Teresa of Heliopolis - Cairo, a special Mass to close the Year of St Paul and open the Year of the Priesthood, called by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.
The Greek Melchite Patriarchate will also celebrate a Mass of thanksgiving on 30 June, presided by Bishop Georges Bakar, patriarchal vicar of His Beatitude Gregorius III. On the same occasion Bishop Paul Antaki, emeritus Auxiliary for Egypt and Sudan of the Greek Melkite Patriarchate of Antioch, will celebrate the 40th anniversary of his episcopate. (R.F.) L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 26/6/2009 righe 17 parole 179)