placeholder image

The World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit has called for prayers for healing, justice and peace for all Egyptians.

“The only way forward is for mutual recognition as equal citizens within Egypt, sharing responsibilities and authority, accepting the diversity of political opinions and religious beliefs,” Tveit said in an official letter to the WCC member churches in Egypt.

According to media reports some 17 churches have been burnt and hundreds of people have been killed across the country following clashes on 14 August.

“The World Council of Churches and its member churches are greatly concerned by the violent turn of events in Egypt and call for an immediate end of violence from all sides,” said Tveit.

He went on to say the people of Egypt have been going through a difficult moment in history since the political developments in 2011. However, Tveit added, “The Egyptian people showed on different occasions their belief in a multi-religious and multi-cultural society where all parties join hands in facing the current challenges and building a better future.”

“This affects the whole of Egypt. I hope that this will not be interpreted as a conflict between Christians and Muslims,” he said in addition to his letter.

Offering prayers for all Egyptians, Tveit concluded: “may God grant them comfort, heal their wounds and accompany them on their way to justice and peace.”

Read full text of the WCC general secretary’s letter

Egypt needs peaceful and inclusive transformation in its political process (WCC news release of 10 July 2013)

WCC member churches in Egypt