Bishop of the Latin Church in Egypt discusses church relations and refugees
The Bishop noted that the Coptic Orthodox Church is the largest Christian community in Egypt and the Middle East, according to the Catholic Church in Egypt.
The Bishop said that over the last three years, Egypt has received large numbers of Sudanese refugees, including thousands of Catholics from Sudan and South Sudan who have found community in Catholic churches.
The Bishop said the Coptic Orthodox Church is the largest Christian community in Egypt and the Middle East, characterized by vitality and a wide presence. He said the church maintains deep daily communication with the Catholic Church and that daily communication with Muslims is a natural part of life in Egypt, involving Islamic-Christian dialogue and scientific and cultural relations with Al-Azhar Al-Sharif by institutions such as the Dominican Fathers.
Regarding the history of the Latin presence in Egypt, the Bishop said it dates back many centuries, including the presence of the Franciscan community since Saint Francis of Assisi visited Sultan al-Kamil in 1219. He said the community saw growth in the 19th century due to European arrivals before declining due to political events in the last century. The Bishop's comments were made during an interview with the Vatican News website in Rome during a meeting of the Council of Bishops of the Latin Church in the Arab region.