Excellent responses by Bishop Suriel, from the Coptic Orthodox Church in Melbourne in speaking with AM’s Timothy McDonald. The Bishop responds on behalf of all the people of Egypt, not just the Christians. This keeps the conversation broad and not narrowed to the self interest of one particular group, the Christians in this case:   

BISHOP SURIEL: Yes, of course, we are concerned about any extremist group that may take hold. It will not be good news for all of Egypt or for the Christians of Egypt for any extremist group that may have their own political agenda. That will cause havoc and a lot of distress for Egyptians and for the Copts and we are against any extremist group that may take hold of the country and we hope and we pray that this does not happen.

Christians worried about Islamic radicals

Timothy McDonald reported this story on ABC Radio’s AM Program this morning, Monday January 31, 2011 at 08:12:00

Listen to MP3 of this story ( minutes)   Alternate WMA version | MP3 download

TONY EASTLEY: Many in Egypt are enthusiastic about change, but the country’s estimated 10 million Christians are concerned about the influence that Islamic radicals might have on any new government.

A Coptic church in Alexandria was recently the target of a terrorist attack that left 23 dead. No one claimed responsibility, but Islamic radicals from outside the country were blamed by the government.

Bishop Suriel is the Coptic Orthodox Church’s leader in Melbourne. He told Timothy McDonald that Egypt’s Christians are worried that they may be targeted in the current chaos.

BISHOP SURIEL: We are concerned for all of Egypt not just for the Christian community and you know, we think the situation is very dire there and obviously, of course, we are concerned for the Copts and what the future may hold and we are concerned that any extremist group may take hold of the country and this would be a disaster, not just for Egypt but for the whole region and even the world.

TIMOTHY MCDONALD: Is there a sense among Coptic Christians that Mubarak, I guess, acted as some kind of a counterweight to some of the Islamic groups that might seek to persecute Christians?

BISHOP SURIEL: Look I think President Mubarak to a great extent was moderate. He tried to keep a balance in the country but at the same time there were a lot of issues for Coptic Christians and human rights issues that were not dealt with properly under President Mubarak.

TIMOTHY MCDONALD: The Coptic Christian church has been the subject of one fairly significant attack within the last month. Are you concerned that amid all the chaos, that Coptic Christians might be targeted again?

BISHOP SURIEL: Of course there is always that risk. Now that, you know, many prisoners have been released from jail and there is anarchy running all over the country, people are trying to protect themselves and their communities with any weapons that they can find or even sticks, standing up all night protecting their houses, their families.

I was just speaking with a distant relative of mine in Port Said, in Port Fuad in fact, and they are terrified there of hearing gunshots right underneath their house. It is just a dire, dire situation and we pray for Egypt that peace may prevail.

TIMOTHY MCDONALD: Are you hearing many similar stories?

BISHOP SURIEL: Yes, I am. I mean, not only this but I have parishioners here in Melbourne that are stuck in Egypt. They cannot get home. One of my parishioners text me, he is stuck there with his family and children in a very difficult situation and not able to find any flights.

And I am calling upon the Australian Government to do something, to send some aeroplanes there to bring back the Australian citizens that are finding it difficult to get back home to Australia.

TIMOTHY MCDONALD: Are Coptic Christians concerned about the influence that the Muslim Brotherhood might have on any new governmental arrangements?

BISHOP SURIEL: Yes, of course, we are concerned about any extremist group that may take hold. It will not be good news for all of Egypt or for the Christians of Egypt for any extremist group that may have their own political agenda. That will cause havoc and a lot of distress for Egyptians and for the Copts and we are against any extremist group that may take hold of the country and we hope and we pray that this does not happen.

TONY EASTLEY: Bishop Suriel, from the Coptic Orthodox Church in Melbourne speaking there with AM’s Timothy McDonald.

Article text from, Christians worried about Islamic radicals.  My, Christmas fading in the Holy lands.