Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

The author reports that Bishop Bīshūy has left the hospital after undergoing surgery. The author also refers to the different rumors that spread following Bishop Bīhūy’s stay in hospital. One of the rumors was that he was suffering from a serious illness, which was proved false by his speedy recovery.

 

Bishop Bīshūy was also attacked for allegedly mixing religion and politics after a newspaper had published an interview with him under a sensational headline that indicates that he had indicated that the Bible calls for people to advocate and support President Mubārak. [Reviewer: See the interview with Bishop Bīshūy implied in a press review in AWR 2010, week 15, article 15. In this interview Bishop Bīshūy stated that maintaining peace with and obeying the ruler is a Biblical and Christian principle, except in issues related to doctrine and faith where God should be obeyed more than the ruler.]

 

Coptic activist Mamdūh Ramzī, vice president of the Constitutional Party stated that Bishop Bīshūy was not influenced by the latest rumors, highlighting Bishop Bīshūy’s positive attitude and high morals.

 

Ramzī added that the attack against Bishop Bīshūy revealed once again the divisions amongst bishops in the Coptic Orthodox Church. Ramzī claims that bishops of the Coptic Orthodox Church are divided into three groups; many of them follow Bishop Bīshūy, another group contains Bishop Yu’annis, Bishop Bimen of Naqādah and Bishop Sāwīris of al-Muharraq Monastery. The third group, however, is neutral and stands between the two other groups. Ramzī asserted that bishops’ conflicts vanish in front of Pope Shenouda.

 

[Reviewer: Similar news was reported in al-Wafd of April 16, 2010 (p. 1) al-Jumhūrīyah of April 18, 2010 (p. 12) and al-Fajr of April 19, 2010 (p. 5)]