On Tuesday 15 February, a commission from the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church met Pope Shenouda III, during which they issued the following statement:

“The Coptic Church salutes Egypt’s honourable young people who on 25 January 2011 led Egypt through a powerful white revolution. To that end a number of youth sacrificed their precious blood, a deed which earned them crowns of glory from the leaders, army, and entire people of Egypt. We offer our sincere condolences to their parents and families.

The Coptic Church salutes Egypt’s brave army, and endorses the declarations issued by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces with the objective of protecting Egypt internally and externally. We support its decision to dismantle the People’s Assembly and the Shura Council (the lower and upper houses respectively of Egypt’s Parliament), and its call for stability and security.

We believe that Egypt should be a democratic, civil state; and that members of parliament  should be elected in free, fair elections in which all sectors of the people are represented.

We support all Egypt in its battle against poverty, unemployment, corruption, in combatting anarchy and ruin, enhancing security, safety, social justice and national unity and in punishing corrupt individuals and outlaws.

The Coptic Church prays for Egypt, the land of a glorious history and ancient civilization. May the Lord keep it safe and fill its land with tranquillity, stability, security and prosperity.

(Signed)
Pope Shenouda III
Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church
Head of the Holy Coptic Orthodox Synod

(Reviewer's Note: This is the official translation of the statement taken from al-Watanī international website.)