Christians a target

Christianity has had a significant presence in Egypt since the first century A.D.  Today, 10% of the population is Christian, around 8 million people.  Violence toward their homes, churches, and shops has escalated during the current conflict.

photo: Catholic World Report

Something like sixty churches have either been burned or attacked, "and the people are scared," says Father Rafic Greische, Catholic spokesman.  Many believe that the organization Muslim Brotherhood is behind the attacks.

“First they stole the valuable things, and then they torched the place,” says Sami Awad, a church member who lives across the narrow dirt alley from the church. “Whatever they couldn't carry, they burned.”

They need our prayers, and they deserve that we speak up.