Double D's
Coptic Discrimination
Over the years I developed a personal relationship with an insider in the Coptic Orthodox Church, whose name was Bishop Matias. His Grace was formerly a priest of my church fifteen years ago and built up the church in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area to what it is today. During the early 90s, he was ordained a Bishop over the Mahallah-al-Kubra diocese. This diocese was once a ‘hot-bed’ of sectarian clashes, one of which led to the death of a priest. This case like many other cases involving Christians has been unsolved and will remain unsolved unless Copts take it upon themselves to fight for their rights.
While having his yearly medical-checkups here in America, a couple of weeks ago he stopped by my parent’s house for dinner and friendly conversation. Political mud-slinging has forced this Bishop to resign, something unheard of in the history of our church. We shouldn’t keep silent because our Pope is hell-bent on silencing opposing views… We shouldn’t just fast and pray for a miracle, but use the intellect that God gave us to help ourselves. I’ve been told by countless people, whether clergymen or congregation that our church simply is not political in nature. This response took me always by surprise because our Pope’s actions always prove otherwise. Our Pope would rather support the Palestinians in their pursuit of a state, by boycotting meetings with Israeli Rabbis, excommunicating any Copt who goes on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and by constantly pointing out Israeli aggression against the Palestinians.
Our spiritual father has in a sense abandoned his flock so he can please the ‘ever-powerful Egyptian Government’. The Al-Kosheh Massacre is a continuous reminder to the Coptic Community of how Egypt’s justice system is severely flawed. Bishop Wissa was forced to break his silence of the massacre to the international community and for this he is viewed as a traitor. Even though Pope Shenouda worked tirelessly to seek justice for the deaths of 30 Copts, both trials were declared mistrials and all defendants were set free.
During a dinner meeting with Pope Shenouda in Nashville, TN I wrote a question regarding what the American-Coptic community can do to bring justice to the victims of the Al-Kosheh massacre. His response surprised me because he said “that everything was going alright in Egypt and that justice would prevail…,” he also warned that “we shouldn’t distort Egypt’s image abroad for this worsens the burden on those at home.”
I'm tired of hearing that our church can play no role in the face of discrimination. Pope Shenouda should emulate the late Martin Luther King Jr. so that the Copts can be viewed as 'equals' in all aspects of the law. As in the case of Wafaa Constantine, hundreds of Coptic youths demonstrated against the government, and although there were many arrests, Wafaa Constantine is back home with her family. The Copts must not stay silent or call on America to solve our problems. We have to demonstrate in large numbers so that we can have a Coptic police chief, university dean, mayor or governor. We must demonstrate so that we can build churches of our own free will, we must demonstrate so show our brothers and sisters that we are EQUAL in all aspects to them.
Civil disobedience has worked in the past and in even worse conditions like that of 60’s civil rights movement in America.
I’ll write about divorce in my next posting.
Over the years I developed a personal relationship with an insider in the Coptic Orthodox Church, whose name was Bishop Matias. His Grace was formerly a priest of my church fifteen years ago and built up the church in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area to what it is today. During the early 90s, he was ordained a Bishop over the Mahallah-al-Kubra diocese. This diocese was once a ‘hot-bed’ of sectarian clashes, one of which led to the death of a priest. This case like many other cases involving Christians has been unsolved and will remain unsolved unless Copts take it upon themselves to fight for their rights.
While having his yearly medical-checkups here in America, a couple of weeks ago he stopped by my parent’s house for dinner and friendly conversation. Political mud-slinging has forced this Bishop to resign, something unheard of in the history of our church. We shouldn’t keep silent because our Pope is hell-bent on silencing opposing views… We shouldn’t just fast and pray for a miracle, but use the intellect that God gave us to help ourselves. I’ve been told by countless people, whether clergymen or congregation that our church simply is not political in nature. This response took me always by surprise because our Pope’s actions always prove otherwise. Our Pope would rather support the Palestinians in their pursuit of a state, by boycotting meetings with Israeli Rabbis, excommunicating any Copt who goes on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and by constantly pointing out Israeli aggression against the Palestinians.
Our spiritual father has in a sense abandoned his flock so he can please the ‘ever-powerful Egyptian Government’. The Al-Kosheh Massacre is a continuous reminder to the Coptic Community of how Egypt’s justice system is severely flawed. Bishop Wissa was forced to break his silence of the massacre to the international community and for this he is viewed as a traitor. Even though Pope Shenouda worked tirelessly to seek justice for the deaths of 30 Copts, both trials were declared mistrials and all defendants were set free.
During a dinner meeting with Pope Shenouda in Nashville, TN I wrote a question regarding what the American-Coptic community can do to bring justice to the victims of the Al-Kosheh massacre. His response surprised me because he said “that everything was going alright in Egypt and that justice would prevail…,” he also warned that “we shouldn’t distort Egypt’s image abroad for this worsens the burden on those at home.”
I'm tired of hearing that our church can play no role in the face of discrimination. Pope Shenouda should emulate the late Martin Luther King Jr. so that the Copts can be viewed as 'equals' in all aspects of the law. As in the case of Wafaa Constantine, hundreds of Coptic youths demonstrated against the government, and although there were many arrests, Wafaa Constantine is back home with her family. The Copts must not stay silent or call on America to solve our problems. We have to demonstrate in large numbers so that we can have a Coptic police chief, university dean, mayor or governor. We must demonstrate so that we can build churches of our own free will, we must demonstrate so show our brothers and sisters that we are EQUAL in all aspects to them.
Civil disobedience has worked in the past and in even worse conditions like that of 60’s civil rights movement in America.
I’ll write about divorce in my next posting.
posted by Koptikjihad at
4:36 PM
2 Comments:
As a Copt born in America, we should put our Egyptian identity before our religious one. In doing so, we shouldn't tarnish the name of all our countrymen for singular events that happen only sparingly. However, I agree with you on the whole meeting with Jews thing. I think Copts and Jews actually have a lot in common and should try and co-operate more actively in the USA.
Dear PE,
I tend to disagree. We should always put our religion before our Egyptian-ness. As a Copt born in America, I believe giving up the name "Copt" and using the name "America" for our Orthodox Church makes some great evangelization.
As for meeting with Jews, I agree we should meet, but to say we have a lot in common with them is just plain stereotypical and an over-generalization.
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