Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

The author begins his article by monitoring the change that took place in state policy after the assassination of President al-Sadāt, when President Mubārak transferred the  religious institutions from the  political file to the  security file. On the other hand, Pope Shenouda changed his policy as well, and began a new age in relation to the state after his release from custody in the monastery. The author believes that during 1970s the Pope was in direct confrontation with the State, and this led to a strained situation, leaving him to  cancel  formal celebrations of Easter in the early 1980s. After the statement by Minister of Interior, al-Nabawī Ismā‘īl, the Priests’ Council replied in a counter statement, denouncing the minister’s statement and referring to the suffering of Copts in Egypt. The priests’ statement supported the cancellation of the Easter celebrations. Although the formation of a committee to manage the Church’s affairs in the absence of the Pope was rejected by some Copts, others supported it. For its part, the committee declared  that the priesthood of Pope Shenouda cannot be damaged, yet the Church is committed to obey the state.