Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Cairo (Agenzia Fides) – The Catholic Church in Egypt has lost one of its leading figures: Mother Marie Georgette Habashy, former Superior General of the “Egyptian Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus,” who was the sister of His Beatitude Antonios Naguib, Patriarch of Alessandria of the Coptic Catholic Church. Mother Marie Georgette lived a life full of love for God and others, without any distinction between Muslims and Christians. She turned her religious order into a dynamic congregation known for its schools, attended by a large number of Muslims. She founded convents and retreat centers in Northern Egypt, in the region of the Delta and the Suez. Thanks to her, many young women discovered their vocation and were sent to the missions in Sudan, Lebanon, and Tunisia.
Mother Marie Georgette won over those who sought her assistance with her smile, especially the most needy and families in difficulty.
Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Prefect for the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, sent a telegram of condolences on behalf of Pope Benedict XVI. The funeral was attended by Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, Apostolic Nuncio in Egypt, and the majority of the Coptic Catholic Bishops and Catholic Bishops of other rights. Also present were a representative of the President of the Arab Republic, Hosni Mubarak, various civil authorities, as well as representatives of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III and the Vice-President of the Protestant Synod of Egypt. Among the crowd of priests, sisters, and laity who knew Mother Marie Georgette, there were several women in veils. (RG) (LM) (Agenzia Fides 21/7/2009)
