Patriarch Antonios on Christians in Egypt during unrest

(30giorni.it) - First the massacre of Alexandria, with dozens of deaths following the attack on the Coptic Orthodox Church of the Saints, the night of 31 December. Then, the revolt that exploded in the streets of Egypt, the clashes, the dead, the end of Mubarak’s regime and the beginning of a transition to a still uncertain berthing place. For the Christians of Egypt, as for all the other Egyptians, this is truly a time full of questions. A time in which a series of anxieties, trepidations and unarmed hopes interweave. And where the greatest realism coincides with the prayer of thanksgiving and trust in the mercy of God. As Antonios Naguib, the Catholic Coptic Patriarch of Alexandria, also testifies in the interview that follows.

Beatitude, what happened in Egypt? And how did you live through the latest events?

We lived through agonizing days, that the whole world was able to follow in the media. Parties and groups opposed to the regime and the government began to organize enormous demonstrations, starting from Tuesday 25 January. They demanded “change”, a radical and immediate change of regime, of the Constitution, of the government and of the president. President Mubarak sought to satisfy the protesters and the public with partial concessions, that were considered inadequate. The outcome is known, and it was the resignation of Mubarak.

How was such a sudden explosion possible?

In truth we can not say it was sudden. Many analysts had long been pointing to elements that were preparing this explosion, which occurred like the eruption of a volcano. A number of diverse factors joined together in pushing the people to insurrection: the abuse of power, corruption, the monopoly of industry and land in the hands of a few businessmen. Then all the social problems: youth unemployment, the inability to find housing at a reasonable price, and therefore the difficulty of raising a family; and, again, the continuous increase in the prices of food and services.

There were many deaths. But at times a far more bloody civil war was feared.

In all the churches of all denominations daily prayers were offered for peace in the country. And now we thank Almighty God for the way things went, and we pray for the peace and good of beloved Egypt, that it may look to a much brighter and better future.

Who were the real protagonists of the revolt? How do you see the role of the Muslim Brotherhood in the current phase, and in the future? And that of the army?

The first to be thanked are the young patriots who led all to the rejection of an unjust situation that had prevailed in the country for too long. As for the Muslim Brotherhood, they did not hide their radical opposition. But they did not lead the uprising. The Army wanted to avoid confronting the people with guns, and I think it played a decisive role in pushing Mubarak to resign...

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