SW News: There appears to be a glimmer of hope for Christians in Muslim-majority Egypt as the government of Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has given land for the expansion of yet another church. It is the Church of the Virgin Mary belonging to the Coptic Catholic Rite that was given a plot of land for expansion by the Ministry of Housing and the New Urban Communities.

The land allocated by the government was visited by Coptic Catholic Patriarch His Beatitude Ibrahim Ishaq of Alexandria. He is also the chairman of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Egypt. The head of the Church was welcomed by the vicar of the parish Fr Youssef Asaad.

As per the Catholic Media Office in Egypt, the land measures 2,738 square meters and it will be utilized to construct an administrative building and halls for religious, social and cultural events.

It appears that the authorities will issue building permits in six months and the construction work will be over in three years.

Ever since the end of Ottoman rule, obtaining permits to refurbish tottering churches and monasteries in Egypt was an uphill task as Christians were discriminated against at the official level. It was also nearly impossible to construct new churches or houses for monks and nuns. But since the ascension of President el Sisi, the government has been quite liberal in granting permits to legalize unlicensed church buildings and to allow construction.

It was in 2016 that the government formed a committee to look into the thousands of applications seeking legal status for the unauthorized buildings for worship and spiritual activities. Seven years hence, close to 3,000 applications have been granted approval by the authorities. This is seen as something unprecedented in the modern history of the Christian community in the country.

Separately, Patriarch Ishaq also took part in the First Holy Communion service for young children at the Church of the Virgin Mary in New Cairo. While preaching the homily, he explained the significance of the cross in people’s lives, adding that it has no meaning sans love.
The Coptic Catholic Church is one of the 23 sui iuris Oriental Churches in full communion with Rome.