Speaking to MCN, Bishop Makarious said, “We were expecting this scenario weeks before sit-ins were broken up; as it was evident of the incitement being made by Brotherhood leaders against Copts. We were still surprised by the systematic attacks on churches and Copts’ properties, many of them occurring at the same time in different places, in a series of attacks made under a plan they called ‘Plan B’”, which targeted all churches to be burned and destroyed.”
Asked about security forces’ plan prior to dismantling the sit-ins, he added, “I think security forces weren’t expecting such retaliation to occur in several areas, all at the same time, which points to a lack of advance planning and investigation. All eyes were on Cairo and Giza, where MB headquarters are located, and that’s where most security forces were deployed in anticipation of any violent reactions.”
He pointed out that security forces’ presence in various governorates, especially in Minya, was not sufficient, and thus several attacks were carried out, while no one responded to the calls for help made by the innocent citizens.
Bishop Makarious called for security reinforcements in Minya, where most of the attacks on Copts are being made. Some villages, such as Saft el-Laban and Delga, are still witnessing attacks on Copts’ houses and churches.
“Many losses were suffered in Minya,” he pointed out. “Taking only the cities of Minya and Abu Qerqas into account, losses are estimated at more than 20 million Egyptian pounds, as a result of the attacks made on churches and Copts’ shops. Both Bishop Moussa and Prince Tadros churches were completely destroyed, as well as attacks made on St. Mina church, YMCA, five schools and two ships, and also the destruction of the Soldiers of Christ Orphanage.”
Marks were placed over Copts’ shops to be targeted by the attacks, as well as Coptic schools that provided educational services for both Christians and Muslims alike.
He explained that Minya has been heavily neglected by previous governments, which resulted in increased poverty, illiteracy and disease, and thus becoming a good environment for extremism and arms trade to thrive. Sectarian attacks against Copts, which are considered the highest in Minya, continue to increase in the absence of law and the utilization of the so-called “customary reconciliation meetings”, which have contributed to these attacks by refraining from punishing the perpetrators.
With regards to compensating Coptic citizens’ losses, he said, “We need to hold dialogues over how to compensate the losses, and we are currently in the process of recording the losses suffered by Copts, and we will discuss with the government the compensations.”
He believes that the coming period would still witness violence, but on a smaller scale, where robbery, looting and kidnapping are expected, which is already happening in different parts of Minya.
Pope Tawadros is in direct contact with them, to follow up on the situation in Minya, and constantly prays for the stability of Egypt. He also spoke of the government’s need to take all measures to bring the perpetrators to trial.
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Edited from http://www.mcndirect.com/showsubject.aspx?id=48824
