Visit of the Pope of Peace to Egypt of Peace

This was the title of the banners that were to be seen all over as ‘pilgrims’ arrived to the Air Defense Stadium for the Mass with Pope Francis.

The visit was impressive but much too short. The Pope arrived on Friday, April 28, at 10:45 am at Cairo Airport, was received by President al-Sisi and Grand Imam Ahmad al-Tayeb at the Presidential Palace and went to the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral to meet with Pope Tawadros II. In the meeting with Pope Tawadros an agreement was signed that the Catholic Church and the Coptic Orthodox Church would recognize each other baptisms and thus do not ask people converting from on denomination to the other to be rebaptised.

This agreement is a major step forward in the relations between both churches since it had caused much discontent in for example mixed marriages. The two popes also spoke, among others, on unifying the date of Easter and other ecclesiastical issues.

I was interviewed by Catholic radio station Proglas in the Czech Republic and Portugese Catholic Radio asked if they could translate our previous newsletter in Portugese. Of course we gave them permission. See: http://rr.sapo.pt/noticia/82239/francisco_no_egipto_um_papa_que_acredita_que_e_possivel_vencer_a_violencia

On Saturday we gathered at 4.00 am at the Holy Family Church in Maadi, Cairo to arrive at 8.00 am at the Stadium which was approximately a 40 minutes drive from the Seminary. It became rapidly clear why so much time was needed to get there. 

The very amiable Father Joseph Amin had hardly time to sleep because Egyptian security wanted a list of all participants with passport or ID information prior to the Mass. The Holy Family Church has different congregations based on the languages spoken or ethnic communities: English, African, Spanish, Philipino, Korean, French and Arabic. All names needed to be checked in the early morning hours at the church, after which five large busses would depart of the stadium two hours later. A number of people had dropped out, fearing for violence because of the Palm Sunday terrorist attacks on two churches that claimed the lives of 45 people.

Security authorities had made all efforts to provide the thousands of faithful with maximum security. Police directed us to an empty street nearby where the busses and bags were searched and passports or ID cards were checked. Once that was done, the busses went with a police escort to the stadium. The participants were praying the “Our Father.” Of course the atmosphere was elated. The security presence around the Stadium was, of course, everywhere visible.

I had received from the Papal Nuncio a VIP card and was thus directed to a different entrance from that of the congregation.  Our passports were checked again and I was seated besides Bishop Samy, the head the School of Theology in Alexandria. The Bishop has recently been appointed as the Anglican Bishop of North Africa.

Photo: Dana Smillie

The Stadium was massive. The side facing the altar was full, but otherwise the stadium that can accommodate 30.000 people, was perhaps half full. Catholic priests in all congregations had made efforts to gather as many people as possible to attend the Mass. This resulted in hundreds of busses from coming from all over greater Cairo and perhaps some coming from further away.

In the stadium we received a small flag with the flag of Egypt on one side and the flag of the Vatican. We also received a shawl with text “the Visit of the Pope of Peace to Egypt of Peace,” white and yellow balloons, and a liturgy. The Mass was to start at 10.00 am. First the Pope came and made a tour around the Stadium, waving to the elated faithful who were letting the balloons fly in the air and were waving their flags. The Mass began and Holy Communion was taken. The Pope preached coexistence and tolerance and denounced terrorism. Violence cannot be related to the name of the Divine, adding that “true faith” fuels love, mercy, and respecting others, as well as “pushing our hearts to defend the rights of others with the same power with which we defend our rights.” (summary of the sermon by Daily News, April 30, 2017). Apache helicopters flew overhead during the entire Mass.

Of course references were made to the Coptic martyrs in the previous terrorist attacks. In the sermon  and speeches references were made to Egypt as the country that welcomed the Hoy Family. The Pope also thanked President al-Sisi for his welcome and hosting this mass in the stadium.

There are all reasons to thank the president and army since the army did not only provide stability to the country but also had restored 54 churches that had been destroyed during the massive violence against church buildings in August 2013 that followed the ousting of president Morsi.

I was interviewed by a journalist of La Stampa, Italy. “Is there no fear following the attacks on Churches?” he asked. Previously Alphonso, a Nigerian in the Holy Family Church had given a wonderful statement on how he felt this visit was protected by God, that “we should not let us lead by fear” and how, “if something would happen, it would be on God’s time.” I told him that dialogue with Muslims is key for the survival of the Church in Egypt. We should not live in isolation and fear but be the salt of the earth. Pope Francis is certainly encouraging such a life. Bishop Samy said that Catholic leaders are generally much stronger in giving that message of dialogue than leaders of other denominations. Of course Anglican Archbishop Mounir is a major leader in Muslim-Christian dialogue, but on lower ecclesiastical levels in all churches one often finds more self isolation than outward orientation towards dialogue. The journalist also asked about human rights violations in the country. Of course this should be addressed but the first priority should be bringing stability to Egypt and that includes providing an opportunity for all Egyptians to make an income. Libya, Syria and Iraq show that human rights cannot be obtained as long countries are not stable.

I was able to return to the bus rather quickly, but before the members of the Congregation of Father Joseph Amin had all assembled and were in the bus we were two hours later than expected. Several of us, including myself, had invitations for lunch with Pope Francis in the Catholic Seminary In Maadi, Cairo, but we, unfortunately, came too late. Once the Pope had entered the Seminary we could no longer enter and dozens of sisters and priests who also had difficulties in returning in time were kept out by security.

The police had prevented traffic from getting close to the Seminary during the visit, but also elsewhere in Maadi traffic had been stopped in order not to create major traffic congestions on any point.

Security measures this day had been extremely strong but it had resulted in a beautiful day with a message of peace for all. Sibelle Nobre, Brazilian member of the Holy Family Church remarked that the protection was carried out by Muslims. The driver and others we met were all Muslims who all had made tremendous efforts to protect their Christian brothers and sisters. At all times, our Muslim brethren, despite following strict security orders, were extremely supportive.

The message of peace had come across very clearly and had been well received.

Seminarian Mathieu Grenier wrote that he experienced the Mass as “a perfume of Pentecost” and “the meeting in the Seminary with priests and seminarians was more intimate. The Pope preached on the spiritual fight against the seven main temptations in the consecrated life.”

“Pope Francis told the priests never to be discouraged or fear the challenges of their ministry, and warned against any temptations he said could keep them from being faithful to God in their daily tasks,” The Egyptian Gazette of April 30 wrote.

The seven temptations that can lead priests and religious to become “neither fish nor fowl.” “Resisting these temptations is not easy,” the pope acknowledged, “but it is possible if we are grafted on to Jesus: ‘Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me’ (Jn 15:4).”

1. “letting ourselves be led, rather than to lead.”

2. Complaining constantly,

3. Gossip and envy,

4. Comparing ourselves with those who are better off,

5. Becoming like Pharaoh (in the time of the Exodus), that is to harden our hearts and close them off to the Lord and our brothers and sisters.

6. Individualism, not: “me, and after me the flood!”

7. “Keep walking without direction or destination.”

Pope Francis concluded his meeting with priests and religious, saying: “May the Holy Family protect and bless all of you, your country and its entire people… You are always in my heart and in my prayers. Take heart and keep moving forward with the help of the Holy Spirit! “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice in him!”

For an extensive summary of the Papal encouragement visit the Aleteia website here.

This visit was certainly a success. Not only Christian but also Muslim friends were impressed with the Pope. Some Western journalists commented on the heavy security arrangements, including the apache helicopters, "The pope of peace in Egypt of (hoping nothing disturbs the) peace.” Thanks to God nothing disturbed the peace that day! The visit in all aspects encouraged hope for a better and peaceful future, not denying the challenges people and country go through but yet providing a clear message for the direction we all need to work in.

April 30, 2917

Cornelis Hulsman,

Editor-in-chief Arab-West Report