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| Coptic Christians killed by Islamic State |
Pope Francis today spoke of his deep sadness at the brutal execution of at least 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians by Islamic State fighters based in Libya.
The Pope, speaking in Italian to Revd John Chalmers, Moderator of the Church of Scotland, reverted to his native Spanish to deplore the deaths of the men he called “brothers” and “martyrs”.
He said their deaths must strengthen ecumenism, adding: “They said only: "Jesus, help me!"
IS released a propaganda video on Sunday which appears to show a number of men dressed in orange jumpsuits being simultaneously beheaded on a beach in Libya. During the video an English-speaking jihadi said: “The sea you have hidden Sheikh Osama bin Laden's body in, we swear to Allah, we will mix it with your blood."
Pope Francis said today that the blood of his fellow Christians cried out.
“Catholic, Orthodox, Coptic, Lutheran does not matter: they are Christians! And the blood is the same. The blood confesses Christ,” he said.
Today the head of the Coptic Church in the UK spoke of his sorrow and pain at the murders.
Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Church in the United Kingdom, said that the murders showed a “gross misunderstanding” of the sanctity of life.
“Our prayers are particularly with the families of these young Coptic men, who were fathers, brothers, sons and friends of many within their tight-knit rural communities, in which their absence will cause significant loss and sorrow,” he said.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, this morning issued a statement exhorting Christians to weep with those affected by IS’ brutality.
“The Coptic Church has responded with courage and as always with faith. The darkness which ISIS seek to spread will be overwhelmed by the faithful lives of Christians shedding the light and peace of Christ. I have been in touch with the Anglican Church in Egypt to express solidarity,” he said.
Source: The Tablet
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