Congratulations to president of the Protestant churches in Egypt

Dear Dr Zaki Stephanous,

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Saviour.

I write to offer my heartfelt congratulations to you on your unanimous election as President of the Protestant Churches in Egypt. You have served faithfully as the General Director of the Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services, and from this work you bring great insight and gifts to your new role.

I am aware that I write to you just after the world received with sadness and dismay the recent news of the horrific murder of 21 Coptic Christians in Libya. You assume your office at a time of great tension and fear, and both your vision for justice and peace and your pastoral oversight are greatly needed. This is a time when ecumenical collaboration, solidarity and advocacy can be an important instrument of a church’s ministry and presence.

The World Council of Churches is grateful for the ecumenical witness of your church and its place in the global fellowship. We support the faithful of your church in prayer, as we also do for you in your new position of leadership.

I look forward to greeting you in person at a future occasion. At this time, once again, accept my congratulations and deep affirmation for your new ministry.

Yours in our Common Lord,

Georges Lemopoulos
Acting general secretary