Victims of Egypt attacks buried in two mass graves

All of the coffins bear the word "martyr" and a note released by the Coptic Orthodox Church also speaks of martyrs. A few hours after the funeral, police released the news of seven militants of the Islamic state. Pope Francis "confirms his trip to Egypt with the utmost resolve."


 

Cairo (AsiaNews) - The victims of last Sunday’s attacks in Egypt were buried in two mass graves in the church of Saint Mark and in the monastery of Mar Mina. Funeral rites (pictured), officiated by numerous bishops, took place the same day, because the Coptic Orthodox Church does not allow funerals during Holy Week.

All of the coffins bear the word "martyr" and a note released by the Coptic Orthodox Church also speaks of martyrs. "It is with great pride and profound emotion that the Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church, the Church of the Martyrs, is separated from her children who were martyred during the Holy Mass of Palm Sunday. They left carrying palm leaves to pray and celebrate the arrival of Christ, the King of Peace in the city of Jerusalem; He entered with a message of peace and promising love and peace for all human beings. "

During the rites a message from Tawadros II was also read in which the patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church expressed its condolences to the families of the victims of the police, as well as to those of the Christian faithful. "Let us pray - he added - for those who were injured and for all those who have been affected. May God preserve Egypt from all evil. We are confident in a bright future and a better tomorrow".

A few hours after the funeral, police released the news of seven militants of the Islamic state. The Ministry of Interior claims that they were planning new attacks and were killed in the southern province of Assiut, after they opened fire on the security forces who approached them. The Ministry also issued the final toll of the two attacks: 45 dead and 126 wounded. And it was reported that the Interior Minister Magdy Abdul-Ghaffar has dismissed the head of the general security criminal intelligence Ibrahim Gharbiya and replaced him with General Ayman Sayed.

The Minister's decision - as announced yesterday by President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi said that three-month state of emergency for the fight against terrorism - is also seen as a result of the indignation expressed by many who accuse him of a State failure in the protection of Copts from attacks by the Islamic State, which had threatened as early as February to intensify its campaign against them.

From Rome, meanwhile, Pope Francis "confirms his trip to Egypt with the utmost resolve," said Father Marco Tasca, Minister General of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor Conventual, after a hearing. "And then - he added - he also told us of the departure of Cardinal Koch to prepare a the ground and for the speeches that will be made. The Pope will not be stopped by what has unfortunately happened, but with great firmness and conviction will go to Egypt to confirm and help the dialogue and the communion of Christian life ".

• Egypt
• Islam
• attacks
• Copts
• funeral
• Daesh
• Pope
• Francis
• religious freedom