Violence against Christians in Egypt worsens, Coptic priest says he’s afraid to ‘walk in the streets’

The Christian community in Egypt is in chaos, described a violence not seen in decades.

The retaliation against Christians from Islamic extremists in response to the removal of President Mohamed Morsi continues. Christian homes, businesses and churces are falling victim to looting and being burned down.

Egypt protests have led to destruction of several Coptic Churches all over the country
Image/Video Screen Shot

“I’m afraid to get out from my home and walk in the streets of the village. The situation is so dangerous for us here,” Father Youannis Shawky, a Coptic priest, told International Christian Concern.

Father Youannis is a priest of St. Mary and Anba Abraam Monastery in Delga, Egypt. The city of 120,000 people, including 15,000 Christians, had been under the control of hardline supporters of former President Morsi for nearly two months.

The Guardian detailed the failed attempts to regain control of these cities: “Up to 100 Christian families have fled since July, with dozens of Coptic properties – including three of Delga’s five churches – torched and looted. Some Muslims stood by their Christian neighbours, but many Coptics were forced to pay protection money, and were unwilling to roam the streets freely in case they were attacked.

“Nothing can stop anyone in Delga. It’s a free-for-all,” one local Christian activist, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals, said before police re-entered the town. “Copts tend to stay in their homes without work and our lives are unbearable.”

Adel Shafik, a Coptic activist said, “From August 14 till now, more than 52 Christian families lost their homes, their homes were ransacked, burned, and demolished.” He added that “more than 40 Christian families left the village fearing from the threats of the Muslim fanatics to them.”

The destruction did not stop with just homes, but also included many of the church buildings in the city. “Our monastery which includes three churches, St. Mary Church, Mar Gigis Church and Anba Abraam Church, were looted, burned and demolished. Now we don’t have any another place to pray in,” Shafik said to the ICC.

More on the violence here