AFRICA/EGYPT - Coptic Orthodox priest insults women for not wearing appropriate clothing to church. The Patriarch suspends him

Saturday, 7 May 2016 custom  

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Cairo (Agenzia Fides) - Heavy criticism was expressed by Coptic Orthodox priest Boulos Mansur towards Christian women who, according to him come to church not wearing appropriate clothing, provoking reactions and controversy within the Orthodox Coptic community. Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate intervened, and has temporarily suspended a divinis the priest. The "case", which according to some observers wanted to disturb the atmosphere of celebration and peace experienced by the Coptic community after the Easter celebration, was triggered by the evening television program broadcast on "Dream 2" channel, and led by well-known Egyptian anchorman Wael el Abrashi. During the talk show, the priest had turned to Christian girls who go to church with non-appropriate dresses. Expressions perceived by many as offensive. "Especially during marriage ceremonies" explains Anba Antonios Aziz Mina, Coptic Catholic Bishop of Guizeh to Agenzia Fides - women come to Mass with party dresses that leave arms uncovered".
It is not the first time that Wael el Abrashi’s program triggers artificial controversy concerning the Christian community. Already in 2015, the presence of a Christian woman presented as a candidate of the Salafi Nour Party had caused a sensation. After that episode, the Coptic Orthodox Patriachate had intervened to clarify in an official manner that the candidate was speaking at a personal level. In another episode, during the program mutual accusations were made among different Copts guests around the possibility of creating a Christian political party in Egypt, in opposition to Islamist and Salafist forces. (GV) (Agenzia Fides 07/05/2016)


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